Child custody is sometimes complicated, but it’s usually something that can be worked out if both parents can stay calm and think rationally. Unfortunately, not all parents are rational when it comes to wanting to see their children — nor are the other adults in their lives.
There was a recent case in Gwinnett County involving the kidnapping of a young child. The 7-year-old boy was taken by his mother’s boyfriend to parts unknown. The mother had been arrested and taken into custody, which meant that her son was left with her boyfriend.
The Division of Family and Children’s Services in Georgia obtained custody of the boy, but he was nowhere to be found. The mother’s boyfriend had taken the child to Lawrenceville, although he told DFCS that the child was with his biological father. Fortunately, the deception was found out, and the child was quickly taken back into the custody of DFCS and safely secured.
The interesting thing about this case is that it shows how easily adults can convince themselves to interfere with the legal custody of a child. The emotional impact of surrendering a child to someone else’s control — even when legally required — can be overwhelming. Parents, stepfathers, stepmothers, aunts, uncles and grandparents can all act irrationally and try to interfere with custody.
If you’re involved in a custody battle or are in any situation where the court has issued orders regarding the custody of a child, keep in mind that it’s illegal to hide the child’s whereabouts. There are legal ways to fight for the custody of a child. An experienced attorney can advise you on the best steps to take — and how to do it on the right side of the law.
