Emergency custody happens when a child is not safe in their home and is therefore removed from the home. The child is placed in protective emergency custody awaiting an initial hearing within 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and certain legal holidays.
IC 31-33-8-8 Immediate removal of a child: http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title31/ar33/ch8.html
IC 31-34-4 Temporary Placement of a child taken into custody
http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title31/ar34/ch4.html