NCJ Number
101736
Journal
Social Casework Volume: 65 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1984) Pages: 330-336
Date Published
1984
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Interviews with about 35 criminal justice officials, child protective workers, attorneys, and family counselors formed the basis of an analysis of the emotions and motivations involved in child snatching, custody practices, legal responses, and the problems involved in retrieving a child.
Abstract
Society has increasingly viewed children as people deserving protection and attention rather than as commodities. However, children do not have the same legal protections as adults. Women increasingly work outside the home, but the value placed on the mothering role makes child snatching emotionally devasting to the mother. Fathers are usually the abductors. They generally do not have custody, despite the decision in Salk v. Salk that a father need not prove the mother unfit to gain custody. Thus, divorced fathers often feel that they have been unfairly denied the rights of parenthood, while having to pay child support. Parental kidnapping is traumatic for the child. It often involves frequent moves, interference with schooling, and social isolation. Finding snatched children can be costly and complicated. The law is vague and open to interpretation regarding child stealing, even though 43 States have adopted the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act. In addition, the Federal Parental Kidnapping Act was passed in 1980. Workers in the helping professions will be dealing increasingly with threatened and actual child snatching. They need to initiate discussions of joint custody with their clients and to be alert to signs of an impending child snatching. Case example, 13 footnotes.