Experienced, Empathetic Advocacy In Family Law And Criminal Defense

Woman charged with child custody interference

On Behalf of | Jan 6, 2020 | Child Custody

When two parents who are not in a relationship share custody of their children, it can have a positive impact on a child’s upbringing. However, some Texas parents struggle to overcome their differences with one another in order to fulfill their child custody agreement. There are even times when one parent refuses to let the other have his or her court-ordered parenting time. That parent can be charged with custodial interference, which is what happened in the case of one out-of-state mother.

According to authorities, the mother was supposed to turn over her son to his father for pre-arranged parenting time. The exchange was supposed to take place at a third party’s home, and though the mother brought her son to the location, she would not allow him to leave with his father. Local police were called, but they weren’t able to enforce the custody agreement because there was no court order. An order was issued the next day, but by then, no one knew where the mother was and couldn’t find her for weeks.

Law enforcement claims that the mother continued her refusal to hand over the child to his father and stopped taking the boy to school. When the mother didn’t appear at a custody hearing early last month, the court awarded sole custody to the boy’s father. The boy was added to a national database as a missing child, and police finally found the mother by tracing her cell phone when she called from out of state. She was arrested and taken back across state lines to face the legal system where she will be charged with felony custodial interference.

Though some parents may believe that they have good reason to deny visitation or parenting time with their child’s other parent, the best course of action may be to utilize the legal system. Those who want to modify or create a child custody agreement here in Texas may want to speak with an attorney with experience in family law. In the end, the most important thing is that children are cared for and safe.

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