Experienced, Empathetic Advocacy In Family Law And Criminal Defense

El Paso police accused of not enforcing child custody orders

On Behalf of | Feb 19, 2019 | Child Custody

Fathers often get a bad rap, particularly when they are no longer in a relationship with their child’s mother. There is a stereotype that says that fathers are not interested in caring for their children, but it is often not true. In fact, many fathers in Texas allege that authorities are not enforcing child custody orders, which prevents them from spending valuable time with their children.

One father, who lives in Dallas, drives to El Paso almost every other weekend to see his 5-year-old daughter. He says that her mother is refusing to honor their court-ordered custody agreement, which is a felony. He also claims that the district attorney is refusing to prosecute the case, despite reports from Child Protective Services that the mother’s boyfriend is abusive.

A local news outlet found that over 4,000 reports from 2016 to 2018 were filed with local police regarding child custody interference. Only 11 of the 229 cases that even made it to the district attorney were indicted. Police say they cannot physically force parents to turn over children to the other parent and that it is a civil matter.

When one parent refuses to honor a court-ordered custody agreement, it can be harmful to the relationship between the other parent and the child. Parents in Texas who have questions regarding child custody issues such as this one may wish to consult an attorney. A qualified attorney can explain a parent’s rights and responsibilities in such a matter, with an aim towards resolving disputes between the two parties.

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