kidnapping child custody disputes | Pennsylvania Family Law Blog - The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz

Woman Arrested in Pennsylvania on Washington Kidnapping Charge Following Custody Dispute

By Sheryl Rentz on February 10, 2010

Police report that a woman accused of kidnapping her children has been arrested after eleven years on the run. An arrest warrant was issued in Spokane, Washington in 1998 for a 48-year-old woman who was recently arrested in her Milton, Pennsylvania home December 29, 2009. She left with the children when her ex-husband was awarded custody after their divorce. The woman claims she was a victim of domestic violence and her children, now 15 and 17-years-old, were sexually abused by their father. Police believe these claims have no merit; however, these kinds of situations are very complex and require thorough investigation.

Even though this kidnapping took place in Washington State, custody disputes are all too common in Pennsylvania. Separation and divorce are difficult enough situations, but when children are involved, emotions can run very high. Nevertheless, it is never appropriate to take a child away from the custodial parent, even if your intention is to protect the child. There can be serious legal ramifications. Obtaining a custody order by a court in Pennsylvania is the key to a secure future custody of the children. Read the rest »