Child Abduction Matters

Child Abduction
Parental child abduction occurs too often. The
United States Department of Justice estates
that350,000 abductions of children occur each
year when the parents are in the process of
sepration or divorce.

Up until 1968, jurisdiction in child custody cases
was dependent on a child's physical presence in
a given state. This actually fostered abduction
because it gave parents the ability to choose the
state that would determine child custody, thus
giving them an incentive to legally kidnap their
children.

Fortunately, the United States has enacted
several laws including the Uniform Child Custody
Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
and the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act
(PKPA), which are designed to deter interstate
parental kidnapping and enforce child custody
and visitation orders established by sister state
courts. These laws are not perfect and you must
take steps to protect your rights:

Call the local authorities if the other parent has
threatened you or your child, which will create a
record.

Get a court order concerning custody (not
just a private agreement). Provide the order
to teachers, babysitters, and daycare staff and
instruct them to ensure your child doesn't leave
with anyone that is not authorized in accordance
with the court order. Notify schools, babysitters,
or daycare of the threat of a potential child
abduction by the non-custodial parent.

Keep a record of all factual events. Keep
track of threats from your former spouse, in an
easily accessible journal, which will come in
handy when working with the police and/or your
attorney. Keep a list of the names, addresses,
phone numbers, social security numbers of all
potential child abductors and their relatives.

Please call our Pittsburgh law firm today to learn
more information about parental child
abductions or to speak with a qualified and
experienced family law attorney who can protect
your legal rights and determine the best way to
protect your interests.