Chicago Kids at Risk of More than Just “Stranger Danger” as Abductions by Parents Still Outpace Stranger Kidnappings

Many Chicago parents and parents across the country teach their children about “stranger danger.” If you are unfamiliar with the term, “stranger danger” means being alert and aware that a person unknown to the child may cause them harm, such as abducting them. Children who are taught about “stranger danger” may be told that they can only go with the stranger if they know a “secret code word” and to never get into a vehicle with a person that they do not know. However, while certainly children are taught the dangers of a potential abduction by a stranger, they are rarely taught about the risks of being abducted by a person known to them.

Unfortunately, in Chicago and throughout the United States, a more silent risk is ever-present, particularly in heated and contentious divorce and child custody cases. This is abduction by a family member, specifically a non-custodial parent. But what is a parental abduction and how common are parental abductions in the United States? We explore those questions here.

Child Abductions by a Non-Custodial Parent Explained

If you thought that only a stranger could abduct a child, think again. A non-custodial parent, even if that person is the biological parent of a child, can commit a child abduction if they take a child in violation of a child custody agreement or order or parenting plan. The situation is even more urgent in the case of international parental child abduction cases – that is, when a non-custodial parent abducts or kidnaps a child and takes the child overseas.

Child abductions by a parent are, unfortunately, not rare. According to Child Watch of North America, 49% of child kidnappings in the United States are committed by a relative of the child, the majority of which are perpetrated by parents of the child. In contrast, 24% of child abductions in the United States are perpetrated by a stranger to the child, and 27% are committed by an acquaintance of the child. In fact, according to Child Watch, family abductions of a child come in only second in frequency to runaways when it comes to the top causes that children go missing in the United States.

Legal Help for Chicago Parents Facing an International Child Abduction

If your child has been abducted overseas by a non-custodial parent from Chicago, or you suspect that your child may be abducted internationally by a non-custodial parent from Chicago, it is important to speak with an experienced Chicago international family law Hague Convention lawyer as soon as possible. Speed is absolutely key when it comes to international child abduction cases, so do not hesitate to act now.

The experienced Chicago international family law Hague Convention lawyers at Birnbaum, Gelfman, Sharma & Arnoux, LLC are here to help Chicago parents navigate the terrifying and urgent situation they face when a child is abducted overseas. Contact the experienced Chicago international family law Hague Convention lawyers at Birnbaum, Gelfman, Sharma & Arnoux, LLC today and speak to a lawyer about your case now.

Source:

childwatch.org/statistics/