My child has been abducted

Start by gathering information as described in our Prevention chapter; i.e. information on the child and on the person who has taken or illegally retained your child; as well as copies of any agreements or court orders you may have then do the following things as quickly as possible:

• Call the Police and report your child as missing.

If you do not know where your child is:

• Ask the police to launch a Child Rescue Alert. With your permission, the child’s photograph and description may also be circulated to the media in the country to which you believe the child may have been taken

• If you are based in the USA, an Amber Alert will be issued. Information about your child should also be entered in the National Crime Information Computer (NCIC).  Also report your child as missing to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

• Ask your police representative whether your child’s photograph and description can be entered onto the Missingkids Website

• Ask the police to instigate a search through INTERPOL

• Contact your Embassy in the country to which your child has been taken and ask them to alert the police. (For US citizens)

Then:

• Contact your Central Authority – in some countries it will in the Foreign Ministry; in others in the Justice Ministry. The Central Authority will liaise with many agencies on your behalf.

If you are based in England and Wales: click here

If you are based in Scotland: click here

If you based in the US: click here

• If your child has been abducted to, or illegally retained in, a country that is a signatory of the Hague Convention there will be procedures under the Convention that you must follow.
List of Hague Convention signatory countries

• If you child has been taken or illegally retained in a non-Hague signatory country, you may have to follow different procedures.  If you are based in the UK, you must contact the FCO's Child Abduction Unit

• In some instances, other Conventions may be applicable. Ask you Central Authority for guidance

• In any event, you will need to seek urgent legal advice. Try to find a lawyer who has some experience in handling these cases. Your Central Authority will usually be able to recommend lawyers.  In the UK, the Charity Reunite also has a comprehensive list of UK lawyers

• You will also need a lawyer in the country to which your child has been abducted. Your Central Authority will usually be able to provide you with a list or request advice from your Embassy in that country

• Your national organisation or helpline will also give you support and additional contact information

Maintain regular contact with your Embassy and the Central Authority. Make sure they monitor your case. Remember that the longer your child is away, the lower the chances of him or her being returned.

Be aware of the stress you are under. Friends and support groups are there to help.

Despite unavoidable set-backs and difficulties, your persistence provides the best chance of having your child returned.

For more information: click here