Las Vegas Sun

November 26, 2009

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Letter: There are hidden reasons why parents flee with their kids

Saturday, Aug. 23, 1997 | 3:29 a.m.

It is wonderful to see children being reunited. However, what is disturbing about this article is the fact that most abductions occur from family members involved in custody disputes.

Why does this happen? Here are a few thoughts: In a divorce situation, children are often alienated from one parent. The emotional trauma is usually evident in the be havior of the child. Parents who feel alienated may become desperate and irrational.

They see that courts fail to promote a relationship with their child and themselves. Sometimes child abuse occurs and is ignored or investigated inappropriately.

Instinctively, a parent will protect a child at all costs when danger is perceived. That is obviously not the best choice but makes logical sense in this scenario.

The focus must be, why have these parents fled with their children? If one can eliminate the cause, the effect will be eliminated as a result.

Al DiCicco, Director, Coalition for Family Court Reform

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