Any California parent currently concerned about co-parent legal issues will want to review a case that is currently unfolding in another state. The case involves a 5-year-old girl who has reportedly been missing for a week. This situation is an example of how wrong things can go when a parent disregards an existing court order.
The father of the child was, at some point, under court order to take a drug test, which he is said to have failed. As is common for family court judges to do in such situations, the judge overseeing this case temporarily removed the man’s custodial rights. The child’s mother and maternal grandmother, however, have notified police that they believe the man violated the court order by taking the girl from her school.
While police have not issued a missing person’s bulletin at this time, they have sent out a “be on the lookout” warning to the public. A phone number was published for anyone to call who believes he or she has seen the child in question. The child’s grandmother said she thinks the man is angry because of the court order that stemmed from his failed drug test and has taken the child as an act of revenge.
Child custody cases like this one are stressful. California parents can make sure that a child’s school instructors and administrators are fully aware of any changes or updates in applicable court orders. That way, if only one parent is permitted to pick up or drop off a child at school, school officials will know to refuse to allow a child to leave with his or her other parent, and can notify the custodial parent if an attempt to do so is made.
