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As a Colorado Springs child custody lawyer, I am often asked about parental child abduction and what can be done about it.  There is no question that divorce brings out the worst in people, but sometimes things get out of control.  One example of this is child abduction by parents.  Sadly, many Colorado children are abducted every year, and according to the US Department of Justice, 350,000 children are abducted by parents who are involved in a divorce or separation.  This problem is even more serious when a parent moves the child out of the country.  

Over the past several decades, international child abduction became such a rampant problem that the United States and other nations formed the Hague Convention of the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.  The purpose of this organization is to protect children from wrongful removal to another country by a parent through the enforcement of the International Child Abduction Remedies Act (ICARA).

Sadly, there are times when a parent must remove their child from the home of an abusive parent, but there are far more cases that do not involve domestic violence.  During an emotionally draining divorce, some parents have been known to abduct their child as a way of hurting the other parent, or because the thought of losing custody of their child is too overwhelming. 

If you are involved in a messy divorce, you may need to be prepared for the eventuality of a spouse abducting your child.  Never take the threat of kidnapping lightly, either.  If a spouse threatens to take your child you should contact the police immediately.  Once a child is removed from the United States, it can be very complicated to have the child returned and you will need to know your legal options.  Whether you are suspicious of your ex-spouse or you are already dealing with the threat of abduction, a Colorado Springs child custody lawyer can help you.

Patricia Marrison is a Family Law attorney in Colorado Springs, CO. and the owner of the Marrison Family Law LLC, Colorado Springs largest Family Law practice.  The Marrison Family Law LLC is devoted to assisting with the difficulties of the breakup of relationships, be it common law marriage, a non-marriage with children, or dissolution with or without children. We attempt to serve the entire spectrum of relationships, from those couples with the simplest, uncontested dissolution to the highly conflicted relationship involving allegations of domestic abuse.