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Parental Kidnapping Attorney—Phoenix, Arizona

Divorces do not always resolve amicably, and sometimes courts grant child custody to one parent, leaving the other embittered and feeling as if the relationship with his or her children is in jeopardy. When one parent takes his or her children outside of the home state jurisdiction and deprives the other parent or grandparent of his or her rights to custody and visitation, he or she is committing a Federal offense. 

Parental Kidnapping is Illegal
Responding to nationwide problems with non-uniform interstate child custody practices and to resolve the growing issue of parental kidnapping, Congress enacted the Federal Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act in 1980. Under this act, it is illegal to deprive the other parent of his or her custody and visitation rights, whether one parent relocates within the same state, or makes an interstate move.

Parental Kidnapping is Harmful to Children
When parents abduct their children, they may change their children’s names, prohibit them from entering school, and tell them not to reveal their true identity or circumstances. Children in these situations often suffer emotionally—sometimes physically—and may develop a deep-seated fear of authority figures. Parental kidnapping has been characterized as a form of abuse because of the harmful effects it can have on the abducted children.  

Is Your Child at Risk of Parental Kidnapping?
How can you keep a dangerous parent from harming your child? Unfortunately, there is no real way of knowing if the mother or father of your children will stoop to parental kidnapping in order to force a closer relationship. However, there are some risk factors which make it easier to identify parents who are more likely to abduct their children. These factors include:

• Has previously abducted the child
• Has threatened to abduct the child
• Has recently quit a job, sold a home, terminated a lease
• Has citizenship in another country and possesses strong ties there
• Has a strong support network living in another state or country
• Has a history of domestic violence or child abuse
• Has no ties to the child’s community
• Has a flexible job which allows him or her job mobility
• Has a history of parental non-cooperation
• Has liquidated his or her assets

If you feel that your child may be at risk for parental kidnapping or the other parent has already violated the Federal Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act, contact our experienced parental kidnapping attorneys to protect your children.

Call 602-296-3434 to speak with an experienced Phoenix, Arizona
parental kidnapping attorney!