nsent, only the adoption agency or a person with leave of the court may remove the child. Where a child has not been placed but there is a 236 placement order application pending; only the local authority or a person who has leave of the court may remove the child. Offence An offence would be committed if an unauthorised person removed the child from the prospective adopter or accommodation provided .by the local authority or adoption agency, respectively. Penalty Liable on summary conviction, to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months and/or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale. Recovery by parent where child not placed or is a baby: section 31 Child placed for adoption without authority or a baby If the child’s parent or guardian informs the agency that they wish the child or baby to be returned to them the prospective adopter must return the child to the agency within seven days unless an application is, or has been, made for a placement order and the application has not been disposed of. Offence An offence would be committed if the prospective adopter fails to return the child within seven days to the adoption agency. Penalty Liable on summary conviction, to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months and/or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale. Recovery by parent where child placed and consent withdrawn: section 32. If the child’s parent or guardian informs the agency that they wish the child to be returned, the prospective adopter must return the child to the agency within 14 days unless an application is, or has been, made for a placement order and the application 237 has not been disposed of (or an application for an adoption or special guardianship order is pending). Offence An offence would be committed if the prospe