Most people are surprised to learn child abductions are committed either by relatives or close family friends, rather than by strangers. In recent years, with the increase in relationships between people from different countries, international child abductions are on the rise, too.
The last thing a parent wants to experience, especially while going through separation and/or divorce proceedings, is to discover their child is missing.
The best way to protect your child from being abducted, either by a relative, family friend, or stranger, is to know the facts and statistics, as follows:
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- Approximately 85 to 90% of the 840,000 abductions in 2001 were children, according to the FBI, which equates to roughly 2,000 child abductions each day.
- A child goes missing every 40 seconds in the U.S.
- 49% of child abductions are committed by a relative or family friend.
- 27% of child abductions are committed by an acquaintance of the child and/or family.
- 24% of child abductions are committed by strangers.
- Most abductions occur at home or within a quarter mile of the home.
- Women are more likely to commit family child abductions.
- The number of international abductions involved 1,135 cases in 2013, up from 642 in 2006.
- Of the children taken abroad in 2009, only 436 were returned to the U.S.
- About 75% of children abducted and taken abroad are taken to convention countries (i.e., countries with agreements with the U.S. to return children).
Initially, most parents react by trying to figure out who took their child and where they might be. It is important during the initial hours to try to remain calm, as best as possible. You will want to contact your Las Vegas custody lawyer and the police immediately. The more details you can provide, the better, including:
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- Recent pictures of your child.
- A description of the other parent and/or pictures.
- The type of vehicle driven and plate number, if known.
- The address and phone number of the other parent.
However, keep in mind, the other parent may have asked a close family friend or other relative to assist with abducting your child. As such, the other parent may deny taking the child or knowing their whereabouts. They may even seemed surprised or shocked.
In addition, if you believe the other parent has taken your child out of state or is attempting to flee the country with them, you need to contact your local FBI field office immediately. In cases where the other parent has already left the country with the child, such as on a vacation, but then refuses to return to the U.S. with them, besides calling the FBI, also contact the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Children Issues.
For international abductions, it will take some time to get the child returned home. In the meantime, it is best to work with your divorce lawyer and the courts to do what you can, like getting parental visitation and custody rights revoked.
If your child has been taken, or you need help in securing custodial rights, or filing for divorce, contact McFarling Cohen Fic & Squires today by calling 702-565-4335.
Sources:
https://www.parents.com/kids/safety/stranger-safety/child-abduction-facts/
https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2013/02/22/international_parental_child_abductions_rise_with_global_migration.html