NCJ Number
164792
Date Published
1988
Length
89 pages
Annotation
This handbook -- intended for parents; law-enforcement officers; attorneys; and Federal, State, and local officials who deal directly with cases of parental child kidnapping -- is designed as a guide through the criminal and civil justice systems and provides a summary of the laws on parental kidnapping.
Abstract
The chapter on working with the police and prosecutors addresses the missing persons investigation, criminal charges, the criminal investigation, the arrest, conviction and punishment, victims' assistance, and the service of civil process. A chapter on the custody decree discusses hiring a lawyer, finding the right lawyer, consulting with the lawyer, free legal services, obtaining custody, enforcing the custody decree, and child-snatching lawsuits. Issues related to searching for the child are examined in another chapter; topics include the use of missing children organizations, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, State clearinghouses, sources of information, and an information source checklist. A chapter on legally recovering a child considers voluntary return, the advisability of self-help recovery, police assistance, and civil legal actions. Other chapters focus on international child abduction, significant issues after the recovery of the child, preventing an abduction, rights of the noncustodial parent, and the laws on parental kidnapping. Information is provided on additional reading, nonprofit missing children organizations, and State clearinghouses. Appended supplementary materials and forms