International kidnapping: prepare for the worst
The trial is over and you have been awarded sole legal and physical custody. Your ex-wife has been granted visitation with the children, and you are terrified that she will kidnap them and take them to her home country of Cyprus. What can you do? As the Green Berets say, plan your work and work your plan.
First, address the issue of the children’s US passports. Hopefully, the judgment includes a provision that the children’s passports should be delivered to the court or a designated party, in which case the judgment should be delivered to the Office of Children’s Affairs (“OCI”), a division of the State of US Department (1-202-736-9124). OCI will then avoid an effort to replace the passport. If there is no provision for the release of the children’s passports, the OCI should be asked to place the names of the children in the Child Passport Issuance Alert Program monitoring system so that you or your attorney can be notified by the State Department of a passport. submitting applications for their children.
Second, you need to make sure you have as much identifying information about your children as possible. School-age children receive a Smile Safe Kids card with a photo when their photo is taken on school picture day. Lifetouch Portraits can also provide this service. However, it is also essential to have a recent photograph of each child, as well as a list of any unique characteristics, such as scars or birthmarks… Police departments will take fingerprints and most dentists and pediatricians have the ability to make an iDENTtAkit to preserve some of the child’s DNA. These kits are also available from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (1-800-THE-LOST). Another, more difficult option is to have a lock of the child’s hair with the follicle attached.
Third, keep important documents related to the children in one place. This includes the judgment granting you sole custody and the birth certificates of the children.
Fourth, you should collect as much information as possible about the other parent. A recent photograph is very helpful. You can get creative about this by asking the other parent for a picture for the child’s room or a school project. You should have information about any contact the other parent has with any other country, including names, addresses, and phone numbers.
Fifth, you should spend some time reviewing the websites for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (www.ncmec.org) and the OCI (http://www.travel.state.gov/). Both sites are packed with useful information. , including directions to other resources related to specific issues and concerns.
Finally, you should have essential phone numbers ready, including your attorney’s numbers (office and cell), your local police department, and the FBI. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a terrific resource, and you should have their number and consider calling them before any abduction to discuss how they can help if children are taken and what precautions they recommend.