This page houses resources on criminal issues related to Hague Convention Child Abduction Cases.

A father petitioning for the return of the child in a Hague Convention case may also make a criminal complaint in the left behind country, alleging that the mother kidnapped the child. Attorneys should be aware that criminal parental kidnapping charges may be pending against the respondent mother, regardless of the outcome of any Hague Convention litigation. Attorneys should consider how such charges impact any Hague Convention proceeding, and should ensure the Hague court is aware of their effect on their client’s ability to return to the left behind country.