CHILD CUSTODY ISSUES

According to the United States Department of Justice, National Incidence Study for Missing, Abducted, Runaway and Throwaway Children, there are approximately 354,000 parental kidnappings in the United States every year. The average time missing is 118 days. To help prevent abduction or custody problems the following guidelines should be considered:

• Obtain a court order establishing who has custody
• Specify in the custody order EXACT time and location for visits
• You might be able to obtain special provisions for visitation
• Both parties are required to obey all aspects of the custody decree
• Keep a complete list of the non-custodial parent's friends and their addresses and phone numbers
• Keep a certified copy of your custody order with you at all times
• Keep a recent picture of the non-custodial parent and of your child
• If problems with custody develop seek professional counseling, mediation or legal help
• Abduction of a child is no way to solve problems- you only hurt the child

IF YOUR CHILD IS ABDUCTED

If the non-custodial parent abducts your child the following are guidelines that should be followed:

• Immediately report your child missing to your local police department or sheriff office
• Have a certified copy of your custody decree with you and give to the law enforcement officer
• Give the law enforcement officer all the information about the non-custodial parent
• Advise the law enforcement officer why you think the abduction took place; do not try and conceal any information- this will only hamper the recovery of your child
• Make sure your child is entered into the National Computer as Missing
• Consider filing charges against the non-custodial parent
• Keep law enforcement officials advised of any communication you might have with the non-custodial parent
• If you locate your child, do not kidnap or snatch your child back
• Contact the law enforcement agency you filed the report with and let them assist you in the recovery of your child

WHEN YOUR CHILD IS LOCATED

Once your child is located be aware of the following:

• If your child is located out of state, you may need to;

• File your custody decree in the Family Courts of that State

• Go to a hearing in that state to be able to recover your child

(Since every state handles the issues of a recovered parentally kidnapped child differently, situations may vary)

• You may need to seek professional counseling for you, your child and your entire family
• Take steps to prevent a repeat abduction
• This usually requires you to go back to court and modify your custody decree
• A handbook on how to prevent Parental Kidnapping can be obtained from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE LOST or visit their Web site at: www.missingkids.com