Marital disputes involving children are common in Massachusetts. In the event of separation and sometimes divorce, a child custody dispute may occur when both parties seek to gain physical custody of their children. A child custody battle can be difficult for children, sometimes making them feel as if they are being torn between their parents. The court decides which parent is granted sole custody of the children. However, recent cases have shown that some courts have begun to push for more shared parenting among divorced or separated couples.
The court’s decision over custody and visitation should be honored by both parties. Failure to do so can lead to serious penalties. In some cases, parents involved in child custody disputes may act irrationally and disregard the court ruling regarding custody. Disputes over custody may happen in any state across the country.
Recently in Marquette, Michigan, two people were apprehended by the police as part of a child custody dispute. The Forsyth Township Police Department recently opened a case after a mother reported her child missing after the child’s father and grandmother failed to return the child to her
The Marquette County Sheriff’s Office took the 25-year-old father into custody. Later on, the grandmother of the child was arrested in Delta County. Both the grandmother and father were charged with kidnapping-custodial interference. The case is considered a felony. Both of them were incarcerated at the Marquette County Jail.
If parents maintain an open line of communication regarding the welfare of their children, kidnapping charges and incidents like the one described can be avoided. Parents should see themselves as having separate but equally important roles in the upbringing of their children.
Parents facing child custody disputes in Massachusetts may find it helpful to speak with an attorney experienced in family law. The lawyer may help formulate a plan that is beneficial to the child and the parent.
Source: The Mining Journal, “2 face kidnapping charges in child custody case,” Adelle Whitefoot, Jan. 5, 2013
