I have a custom theme that I am developing that includes uploading files. I have the code for the upload manage field and it works fin for uploading the file. The issue is that the file needs to be marked as permanent. I am having trouble doing that. The file disappears after 6 hours and cron runs.

I have poured over the docs but don't seem to find what I am looking for. Can someone please point me towards some help in setting the status of a newly uploaded theme file to permanent?