A Story about How a Louisiana Mother Abducted her Own Son Highlights International Child Abductions

The issues surrounding child custody battles are never easy. Whether the fans of controversy over child custody issues are flamed by love for the child, hate for the ex-spouse or partner, or a combination of both, many divorcing and separating couples find themselves in the fight of their lives when it comes to child custody issues. However, once the issues of child custody are hammered out by agreement or by judicial interference, they do not always stop. Indeed, child custody issues can continue throughout the child’s young life, and they can sometimes become criminal and even internationally so.

The story of a recent domestic child abduction in Louisiana highlights just how the mother of a child can still be deemed to have abducted her child when she skirts child custody orders. According to local reports, on November 17, just last month, a Westwego City, Louisiana mother was arrested and charged after she allegedly kidnapped and abducted her son from the parent who was granted legal custody over him. 47-year-old Jamie Lynn Ruffin had apparently entered the child’s home in Morgan City for a visit, but left the home with the 11-year-old child and without his custodial parent’s permission. Ruffin and the 11-year-old boy were ultimately found in a hotel room in Morgan City, and Ruffin was charged and arrested with simple kidnapping and interfering with child custody, under Louisiana laws. Fortunately, the 11-year-old boy was unharmed and was returned to his custodial parent.

When Interfering with Custody Orders Goes International

Fortunately for the 11-year-old boy and his custodial parent, Ruffin was swiftly apprehended and he was returned unharmed. However, this is, unfortunately, not the end to every case where a non-custodial parent interferes with a custody order. Sometimes non-custodial parents take a child overseas, which is considered the crime of international child abduction. International child abductions are extremely serious and can result in the custodial parent potentially never seeing the child again. For these reasons, it is very important that Chicago parents act quickly if a non-custodial parent interferes with or does not follow a child custody order and visitation schedule, and should immediately get in touch with an experienced Chicago international family law Hague Convention lawyer as soon as possible.

Help for Chicago Parents Experiencing an International Child Abduction

If you are in Chicago and your child was abducted by their non-custodial parent, or if you suspect that your child has been abducted by the child’s non-custodial parent, it is important to act immediately. Start by consulting with an experienced Chicago international family law Hague Convention lawyer as soon as possible to learn about your rights, options, and next steps. The experienced Chicago international family law Hague Convention lawyers at Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC, are here to help Chicago parents with an international child abduction and offer a confidential consultation to discuss your case. Contact Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC, and speak to an experienced Chicago lawyer about your next steps today.

Source:

klfy.com/local/st-mary-parish/mother-arrested-after-allegedly-kidnapping-her-child-from-custodial-parent/