What is parental kidnapping?

Parental kidnapping laws vary by state but generally involve a defendant abducting children by holding them in a place where they are not likely to be found. Whether or not the taking of children by a parent will constitute parental kidnapping is determined by three main factors, including (1) the legal status of the offending parent, (2) the existence of any court orders regarding child custody, and (3) the intent of the offender. Learn more below about parental kidnapping and the lawful custody defense that may be used to avoid charges.

UPDATED: Jul 18, 2023Fact Checked

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Merriya Valleri

Insurance and Finance Writer

Merriya Valleri is a skilled insurance writer with over a decade of professional writing experience. Merriya has a strong desire to make understanding insurance an easy task while providing readers with accurate and up-to-date information. Merriya has written articles focusing on health, life, and auto insurance. She enjoys working in the insurance field, and is constantly learning in order to ...

Insurance and Finance Writer

UPDATED: Jul 18, 2023

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UPDATED: Jul 18, 2023

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We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes and legal advice should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.

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