Contrary to the popular belief that strangers usually take missing children, most of them are actually victims of parental kidnapping. This occurs when one parent takes a child without the consent of the other parent or legal guardian, in violation of custody or visitation orders. While this may seem less frightening, it can still put the child’s safety and well-being at risk and often indicates a more significant issue of domestic violence. A parent may take these actions to control their partner, even if it means hurting their own child.
In this article, you’ll learn about the signs of parental kidnapping, your options if your ex has taken your child, and the criminal consequences if you are accused of unlawfully taking your child.