protective custody

noun

: a safe place under police watch
The witness is in protective custody.

Examples of protective custody in a Sentence

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The children have been placed in protective custody and remain hospitalized, authorities said. — Brittany Miller , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 Sheriff’s detectives placed a newborn infant in protective custody last week after the child was found living with their parents in unsafe conditions under an Interstate 5 overpass in Yolo County. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026 Child Welfare Services was called to the scene, and the baby was ultimately placed into protective custody. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 After Bateman’s September 2022 arrest, his child victims were placed in protective custody. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for protective custody

Browse Nearby Words

protective cover
protective custody
protective deck
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Cite this Entry

“Protective custody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protective%20custody. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

protective custody

see also:
custody sense c
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