When a Texas marriage ends, kids are often left in the uncertain clutches of a child custody dispute. In some cases, adults are able to mutually work out a schedule that fits the needs of each party involved and allows for the children to have access and spend time with both mom and dad. In some cases, one parent may not be mentally, financially or physically able to care for or attend to the needs of his or her kids. In extreme cases, a parent who has been found unfit to remain as a positive figure in their children’s lives may have his or her child custody rights taken away or significantly limited.
A Texas father with custody of two young boys says he was drugged by his wife in his home. Reportedly, she immediately fled the county with the 5 and 6-year-old boys. It is also claimed that she took the man’s cell phone, some cash and his vehicle.
The 24-year-old mother was later captured three counties away and charged with the violation of a protective order (which had previously been issued in Connecticut) and interfering with child custody. Upon the woman’s arrest, the boys were returned to their father. At last report, she remained in custody.
One parent in a child custody situation may feel that an existing court order is not fair and take it upon him or herself to rectify the situation, using whatever means necessary. However, it is never appropriate to intentionally violate the terms of an existing order. The appropriate relief in those circumstances is to seek a formal modification of the order from the court that issued it. In Texas and elsewhere, a family law attorney can help those seeking to enforce an existing child custody order or those seeking to modify one that has already been made .
Source: chron.com, “Woman charged in child custody case“, Mike Glenn, March 31, 2017