Common signs or "red flags" to help identify a risk of abduction:

1. The parent has threatened to abduct the child or has attempted to do so,

2. The parent has no strong ties to the child’s home state or country,

3. The parent has citizenship in another country and strong emotional/cultural ties to the country of origin,

4. The parent has friends or family living out of state or abroad,

5. The parent has a strong support network in the other country,

6. The parent has no financial reason to stay in the area, unemployed, better job opportunities elsewhere, or is financially independent,

7. The parent is engaged in activities indicating preparation to leave (passport applications, quitting job, closing bank accounts, selling home, hiding or destroying documents),

8. There is a history of marital instability, lack of cooperation, domestic violence or child abuse, and

9. The parent has a prior criminal record.

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Convention):

The Convention was adopted in the United States in 1988 upon impending federal legislation, the International Abduction Remedies Act, 42 U.S.C. 11601-11601.  The Convention requires the return of wrongfully removed children, usually to their home country.  After their return the courts of that country can make decisions regarding custody and visitation.

Current members to the Hague Convention can be found at the US Department of State website www.travel.state.gov.