Legal Question in Family Law in Missouri

parental kidnapping, illegal adoption

A child was taken from MO in 1994 by the non custodial mother. She had a parental kidnapping & unlawful flight to avoid prosecution order against her. After 14 years we found out that mother & daughter are in NC and the child's last name has changed. The custodial father has full custody & the mother was supposed to pay child support, which she has not done. The child is now 18. Are the child support & other charges still inforcable? If the mother, whom is remarried, forged the father who is the custodial parent's signature, what is the penalty for that?

Thanks for your help.


Asked on 11/06/08, 11:17 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Smith LawSmith

Re: parental kidnapping, illegal adoption

If the mother has assets in Missouri, the support order is enforceable. However, since she is is in another state, the question of enforceability (and collectability) are better left to an attorney licensed in that state. The forgery issues may be subject to civil suit here in Missouri. However, the length of time and that fact that the adoption (or name change) apparently happened in another state, means that that other states' laws will affect whether there are still any criminal charges that can be brought against the mother.

Good Luck

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Answered on 11/06/08, 11:23 am


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