Parental kidnapping has become a serious concern in the United States. A national incidence study showed that an unprecedented number of parents had taken action to deprive the other parent of contact with the couple's child. In almost half of these cases, the intent of the abducting parent was to alter permanently the custodial access by concealing the child or taking the child out of the state or country. This article reviews the history of civil and criminal legislation purporting to respond to this problem. It also presents findings from a series of research studies aimed at identifying potential custody violators early on along with preventative interventions.

[No Keywords available]

law paranoia human custody priority journal social support Child Custody human rights marriage United States Humans Adolescent male female Child, Preschool Review Child Welfare Incidence child psychiatry Child Abuse court legal aspect child advocacy family violence practice guideline crime forensic psychiatry child care child parent relation Child