Child abduction is the offense of wrongfully removing, retaining, detaining, or concealing a child. There are generally two types of child abductions: child abduction by a parent and child abduction by a stranger. Child abduction by a stranger is always a criminal offense.

But the more common type of child abduction is by a parent—often during or after a divorce or other domestic strife. Laws on child abduction by a parent vary from state to state, but if there is no child custody order from a court in place, and if the child’s parents are not living together, one parent’s taking of the child may not be a criminal offense (crime). But many states make it a crime for such a parent to travel across state lines with the child—and in some states it is a felony offense. And if the parent’s taking or abduction of the child violates a child custody order, it will often be a criminal offense—sometimes called interference with child custody.

And federal law prohibits a parent from removing a child from the United States, or keeping a child in another country with the intent to obstruct another parent’s custodial rights. This crime is known as international parental kidnapping, and it is a felony offense.

In Connecticut, child abduction is taken very seriously, and the state has specific statutes to address both stranger and parental abductions. Under Connecticut law, child abduction by a stranger is unequivocally a criminal offense. Parental abduction, which is more common, can also be a criminal offense under certain circumstances. If a parent takes or retains a child in violation of an existing child custody order, it is considered a criminal offense, often referred to as custodial interference. This can be charged as a felony or misdemeanor depending on the specifics of the case. Furthermore, Connecticut law may also criminalize the act of a parent taking a child across state lines without proper authorization or in violation of a custody order. At the federal level, the International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act (IPKCA) prohibits a parent from removing a child from the United States or retaining a child in another country with the intent to obstruct another parent's custodial rights, which is a felony offense. It's important for individuals dealing with custody disputes or potential abduction scenarios to consult with an attorney to understand the specific legal implications and to ensure the protection of their rights and the well-being of the child.