What happens to lost property found by a minor who later reaches maturity before the announcement period ends?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Lost-and-Found Property
Primary text
If a boy who found lost property at age ten matures, and the owner is later found, the property must be returned to the owner. If the owner is not found, the property should be given in charity (*tasaddaq*). This implies that if the announcement period passed during his minority without finding the owner, and he did not fulfill the obligation of announcement, he is treated as if he neglected the announcement without excuse. If the owner is not found after maturity, and the announcement period was missed, the question remains whether one should give away another's property in charity. If the owner is not found, and the announcement was delayed after maturity due to an excuse, it is treated like a delay without excuse because the minor was inherently a person of excuse.
Supporting text
If a minor finds money, takes it home, and it is subsequently lost, and upon reaching maturity, he wishes to return it but cannot find the owner, it should be given in charity. If the lost amount is substantial and returning it would cause significant hardship (*juhf*), he should give charity gradually until the amount is covered. This loss is attributed to the minor's negligence (*tafrit*) in that he did not inform his guardian so the item could be announced.