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How To Prevent Child Abduction

  1. Obtain a valid custody or visitation order from the Family Court. A negotiated settlement that both parents can live with will help prevent the frustration that is often the root cause of the abduction.

  2. The terms of visitation should be very specific. What is "reasonable" in one parent's eyes may be outrageous in the eyes of the other parent. If domestic violence or abuse is at issue, a supervised visitation may be appropriate.

  3. The custody order should state that the child not be removed from the city, county, country (or whatever local area is appropriate) without the consent of the other parent.

  4. Keep an up-to-date file of your child and the other parent. Include birth certificates, recent photos, fingerprints and any other information that would aid in identifying your child in case of an abduction.

  5. Teach your child to use the telephone. Without frightening your child or alienating your child from the other parent, tell your child to call home immediately if something unusual is happening. Make sure that your children understand that you will always love them and want to share your life with them.

  6. Notify school, day care center, baby sitter and relatives of the custody and visitation orders. If the non-custodial parent lives in another state, file a certified copy of the custody decree with the Clerk of the Court in that county.

  7. Do not make visitation dependent upon support payments. Refusal to pay child support is not a ground for denying visitation. Use the court system to collect child support. However, support is often a source of frustration that leads to abduction. While working out support issues take extra precautions to prevent an abduction.

  8. If an abduction is threatened, notify the police department or the Child Abduction Unit who will advise the parent that taking the child is a crime.

 

 






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