Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Child Abductions Usually Involve Family Members

Child Abductions Issues in Frederick Maryland


Sadly, most child abductions involve family members or household members according to custody lawyers in Frederick, MD. A child is considered to be anyone under 18 years old, while a family member is legally defined as someone who is a relative of a child by marriage, blood or adoption. 

Other abductors are typically people who have actual contact with the child, like a babysitter, or a stranger who happens to see an opportunity to snatch a child, like at the mall or carnival.


When Parents Can't Agree

Custody lawyers are often involved in locating abducted children because so many cases involve parents who are in disagreement. For example, there are arguments about custody during a divorce so one parent abducts the child.

In some instances, one parent will abduct a child just to scare the other parent or to blackmail the other parent into agreeing to certain visitation terms.

There are also many cases in which a parent or relative abducts a child when the custodial parent intends on relocating out of the area or relocates without telling the non-custodial parent or other relatives. The resentment a family member feels may translate into a desperate act of abduction.

It is not humanly possible to protect a child 24 hours a day unless you never allow the child to leave your side. Custody lawyers Frederick, MD clients retain are familiar with the guilt and grief parents feel when a child is abducted, but unfortunately it is becoming a more frequent occurrence.

One of the best steps you can take is to consult an attorney as quickly as possible, after notifying the police, once you discover a child is missing. The attorneys have resources that enable them to call upon the full power of the law to locate an abducted child.

These resources include the United States Department of State, the Center for Missing and Abducted Children, the local and state police, and international agencies dedicated to locating abducted children.

Full Power of the Law

The custody lawyers in Frederick, MD are also familiar with the many laws that are applicable to child abduction and relocation. For example, the Uniform Child Custody and Enforcement ACT and the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act protect a child who has been abducted or kidnapped. In other words, there are federal, state and international laws that protect parental rights and the rights of a child.

It is unfortunate that non-custodial parents sometimes feel their only recourse is the abduction of a child. The truth is that custody lawyers can represent either custodial or non-custodial parents. Non-custodial parents may also have rights in terms of visitation, and the best way to protect those rights is in court and not through an illegal action.

If you are concerned about protecting access to a child or believe your child is at risk of abduction, consult one of the custody lawyers in Frederick, MD.

There are right ways and wrong ways to settle these issues, and the right way is legally.
 
Timothy Conlon, Esquire for The Custody Place.

The Custody Place