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Parent abductions and child custody, what to do next?

Child custody is an issue that hits near and dear to the heart as nothing is more special than a bond between parent and child. When parents have issues of child custody, that often happen during a divorce, sometimes a parent can act irrationally. For example, parent abductions have been known to occur during times of a Tennessee child custody dispute. If this has happened to you or a loved one, there are a few things to know.

Abduction is a term that describes the illegal custody of a child. When a parent is the perpetrator of such an abduction, it means that they have taken the child illegally without permission of the law or other parents or family members who may hold a level of custody or visitation. Obviously this is a very serious issue and it can severe the tie between parent and child. It can also put the child in a confusing and stressful situation that can be detrimental to the child’s health.

If you or a loved one has found themselves in a child abduction situation, immediate action is crucial. Alerting the proper authorities is among first steps and also directly contacting the parent or guardian who may be behind the abduction could be a game-changer. If all else fails, consult professional help as this is a very serious situation. International abductions can be even more troublesome if a child is taken illegally beyond domestic borders. Parents can be held accountable for activity considered to be a child abduction, even if it is their child.

There can be so many emotions tied up in a child custody dispute. If both parties are not cooperating and playing fair, it could really prohibit the best interests of the child from being met. Parents need to focus on working together in order to determine the best child custody arrangement. If one parent is intentionally sabotaging the process, such as in a child abduction, it is important to respond to this situation in a timely and appropriate manner in order to resolve the problem efficiently and reunite parent and child.

Source: Findlaw, “What Legal Remedies are Available if a Parent Abducts a Child?” Accessed Dec. 28, 2015

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