What Is A Parental Child Abduction?
Most children who are abducted in Canada are not taken by a stranger, but by a parent. These children are taken without the other parent’s consent or knowledge.
Parental child abduction is illegal and a person found guilty of abduction can be sentenced up to 10 years in prison. The charge of parental child abduction applies not only to parents, but to guardians and others having the lawful care or charge of children under the age of 14.
Who Is A Potential Child Abductor?
The custodial parent is less likely than the non-custodial parent to abduct his/her child, although there are exceptions. A parent who takes little interest in or responsibility for the children is, ironically, a potential abductor. A parent who is a potential child abductor fits the following profile:
- Someone who angers easily, is erratic or impulsive.
- Someone who is hostile, vengeful, spiteful or abusive.
- Someone who possesses the skills, finances and personal connections to support him/herself and the abducted children while moving frequently.
- Someone who has a poor record of employment, and has no business responsibilities that could stop him/her from fleeing.
- Someone with close ties to another country where laws and traditions may be discriminatory towards the rights of foreigners or of people of a certain gender.
In 1999, 200 children and teenagers in Ontario were abducted by estranged parents. That's four children a week.
Think about that....
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