If you’re worried about parental kidnapping, you can get help

You’ve always worried that your spouse would try to run away with your children. They’d had some issues in the past where they’d go out for too long and not return the kids on time. Once, it was a full day later before you finally got a call from your ex to say that they were on their way.

The panic that you feel every time that happens is unfair and unacceptable. If your ex-spouse is not bringing your children to you or meeting you at an appropriate drop-off point on time, they’re violating your custody order.

What can you do if you feel that your ex-spouse might be planning to kidnap your children?

Being chronically late to custody exchanges doesn’t necessarily mean that your ex is planning to leave with your children. If they do something that seems suspicious, however, it’s time to get in touch with your attorney. Being an hour late here and there is something you can be flexible with, but finding out that your ex-spouse planned a trip you didn’t know about or purchased passports is certainly something that raises red flags. Even threats of abduction could be serious.

As a parent, and especially as one with custody of your children, thinking that they may one day disappear is terrifying. Your attorney can evaluate the situation and help you put together a case if you have the evidence to support your claims. You should also report that the other parent isn’t following the custody order, because the order is there for the sake of your children and their best interests.