When custody disputes become extremely ugly, it is not uncommon for the non-custodial parent to take the child on the pretense of a visitation and disappear off into the sunset taking the child on the run, and often across state lines. While the parent may feel that he or she has been backed into a corner and has no other option but to take off with their child, going on the run with a child causes severe emotional trauma for that child, and is never a good idea. It is always best to use the courts and the legal system in tough custody disputes and situations; taking the law into one’s own hand is never the right thing to do.

This website has a very detailed outline on what to do if your child is abducted by his or her non-custodial parent. It is twenty-six pages long, packed with useful information ranging on which authorities to alert and when, to how to word visitation orders so that the authorities can act immediately if a child goes missing. Many visitation orders use the terms ‘liberal’ or ‘reasonable’ when referring to visitation schedules. This can hinder police from taking immediate action if a parent goes missing with a child, as there is no set time limit that the child should be with the non-custodial parent, before being returned to the custodial parent.

While many parents believe that even if their child were to be taken by their non-custodial parent, the child would be quickly found, as he or she has been taught the home phone number, and address, it is important for custodial parents to be aware of the fact that many parentally kidnapped children are brainwashed into believing that their custodial parent has died, does not want or love them anymore, is crazy and/or dangerous, or has been put in jail. The child may also be threatened if he or she tries to contact their custodial parent, or kept in a place where there are no accessible phones for the child to use.

All parents in any type of custody situation should inform themselves on the dangers of parental kidnapping, how to prevent it, and what to do in the unfortunate event that it happens to them and their child(ren).

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