U.S. Mother Reunited with Child Abducted Across State Lines by Father, Legal Options for Parents Facing International Child Abductions Explained

News of a mother in New Jersey who temporarily lost her daughter due to a terrifying parental child abduction hit the media last week and raised the profile of parental child abductions in the United States and what U.S. parents can do if they suspect their child is being abducted. According to local news reports, ABC Channel 7, Madeline Reyes, a Patterson, New Jersey mother, contacted law enforcement authorities when her 10-month-old daughter was not returned to her by her daughter’s father, as ordered in the former couple’s court-ordered child visitation schedule. Under the child visitation order, Ms. Reyes’ ex and her daughter’s father, 47-year-old Anthony Smith, is permitted to see his daughter every third weekend of the month, and is required to pick her up in the morning and drop her off on her return home. According to Ms. Reyes, Mr. Smith was scheduled to drop his daughter off at Ms. Reyes’ home on May 26, but he did not bring her back as planned. Two days later, Ms. Reyes contacted the police to get her daughter back.

An arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Smith’s arrest on June 5, and he was ultimately apprehended two days later in North Carolina. Fortunately, Ms. Reyes and Mr. Smith’s child was found to be in good health at the time she was located. As for Mr. Smith, he now faces criminal charges of second-degree Interference with Custody. Mr. Smith is now being extradited to New Jersey.

When Parental Child Abductions Take an International Turn

In the case of Ms. Reyes’ daughter, the good news is that the young girl was returned safe and sound. However, countless children in Chicago and throughout the U.S. are abducted by their own parents every year and are never returned back home. Things can take an even more desperate turn when a child is abducted by their other parent overseas. With different laws, language barriers, and long distances, once a child is taken overseas by a parent it can be an uphill battle to find the child safely and return them home. Accordingly, if you suspect that your child has been abducted by their other parent from Chicago overseas, it is extremely important to act immediately. The first step that you can take is to contact an experienced international family law Hague Convention lawyer to assist you in safely locating your child.

The experienced international family law Hague Convention lawyers at the law firm Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC are here to help Chicago parents locate their children who have been abducted overseas under the international Hague Convention. They can advise you as to the best steps to take in your international child abduction case, and can represent your interests in court and before any applicable agencies. If you suspect that your child was abducted overseas by their other parent and you need assistance immediately, contact the experienced international family law Hague Convention lawyers at the law firm Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC today and speak to a lawyer about your case now.

Source:

abc7ny.com/post/paterson-child-abduction-mom-reunited-baby-girl-father/14936082/