Do You Suspect Your Child has been Abducted Internationally from Chicago? Here are Immediate Steps You Can Take to Help Prevent an International Child Abduction
Almost nothing could be more terrifying than a parent’s suspicion that their child has been or is in the progress of being abducted overseas. Once a child is abducted internationally, the truth is that it may be very difficult to locate the child and retrieve them from their noncustodial parent or other abductor. To help parents better respond to a potential child abduction, the United States Department of State provides the following steps that may help Chicago parents, and parents throughout the United States, prevent an international child abduction.
- Step #1: Obtaining an Order from the Court: The U.S. State Department explains that getting an order from a court can be an important tool to prevent an international child abduction. The U.S. State Department further encourages parents who believe that their child is under threat of being abducted to consult with an experienced international family law Hague Convention lawyer about their specific situation;
- Step #2: Contact Relevant Law Enforcement Authorities: The U.S. State Department urges parents who suspect that their child has been or may be abducted internationally to immediately contact law enforcement authorities, and to inform law enforcement of any court orders that govern the particular case;
- Step #3: Reach Out to the Police at the Airport and Airlines: Contacting airlines and law enforcement at the airport is another step that parents can take to help prevent an international child abduction, according to the U.S. State Department;
- Step #4: Contact the Relevant Foreign Embassy or Consulate of the Country to Which the Child may be Abducted: It is important for parents who suspect that their child has been abducted internationally to contact the foreign embassy or consulate, especially if your child is, or you suspect your child may be, a dual national of another country.
Legal Help for Chicago Parents Facing an International Child Abduction or Suspected Child Abduction
It is clear from the U.S. State Department’s guidance to parents that acting fast and communicating with a number of different authorities, organizations, and legal systems is important in preventing an international child abduction. Furthermore, working with an experienced international family law Hague Convention lawyer can be instrumental in helping a parent prevent an international child abduction, and for helping a parent get their child back once they are abducted overseas.
In Chicago, the experienced Chicago international family law Hague Convention lawyers at the law firm Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC are here to help Chicago parents take steps to prevent an international child abduction from happening in the first place, and to help them get their children back in the unfortunate event that they are taken overseas. If you are in the Chicago area and you need help with an international child abduction, do not hesitate to get in touch with the experienced Chicago international family law Hague Convention lawyers at Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC today.
