NCJ Number
182791
Date Published
2000
Length
620 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this study is to define the characteristics of parents who abduct their own children. These profiles could be used to help prevent such abductions.
Abstract
California's law on parental child abduction is quite broad. It encompasses both pre- and post-custodial cases, both married and unmarried partners, and all types of custodial arrangements. It includes a much broader range of persons and situations than is generally defined as abduction in other most states. By analyzing data from several California studies related to child abductions by a non-custodial parent, the authors developed a set of characteristics of parents who abduct their children. In-depth information about the entire family that experienced abductions was also collected. Sociodemographic and legal characteristics were established. Custody status at the time of the abduction, ethnicity, parental age, socioeconomic status, and criminal history of both parents were found to play a significant role in the likelihood of parental abduction. An accomplice partner or extended family members were often active in facilitating the actual abduction. Social background variables such as poverty, unemployment, unmarried status, and prior arrest record do indicate a greater risk for abduction. Figures, tables, appendices, survey instruments are included.