When a Child is Taken

From Massachusetts and New Hampshire to every state in the Union, a private investigator often comes across cases that are heart breaking. Many get into private investigation because we want to help, and there are times when the case is so close to what makes us human that we have to help. Such is the case with Carol, who was kind enough to share her story with my readers. Per her request, names have been changed:

“When my husband and I separated, we had a verbal agreement that my three-year-old son Jared would live with me; my husband, Jason, would be able to visit when he wanted to. As an over-the-road truck driver, he was only in town once in a while. For two years, Jason either visited Jared in my home or took him on the road with him for a week or two.

“Jared turned five, and it was time to enroll him in school. I reminded Jason that he wouldn’t be able to take Jared on the road with him during the school year except for vacations. When he asked to take my son for the month before school started, which was longer than he’d ever been gone, I said yes. I thought he just wanted to spend as much time with Jared as possible before the school year. Looking back, I feel like I should have known better, but I was doing what I thought was right…

“In the meantime, I’d saved up enough money to start the divorce process. All the paperwork was ready to be filed, but I’d asked my lawyer to wait until Jared was back in my home. The day Jason and I agreed on came and went, with no Jared. A few days later, my husband sent me an email, stating that he wasn’t bringing my son back. I immediately called my lawyer and told her to file the papers, which included a request for child custody.

“I was panicking by the time I got off the phone with her; I got in my car and drove the hour and a half to my husband’s house. He was at work, but his girlfriend and my son were there. When I told her I wanted my son back, she called the police and Jason, locked the door and kept Jared inside.

“The police showed up and Jason came back a few minutes after that. The responding officer looked at Jason and asked my husband if he wanted me there. Jason said no and the officer told me that if I didn’t leave, I’d be arrested for trespassing. I told the officer that Jason had taken my son and the officer asked if I had any custody papers. When I told him “not yet”, he said that it wasn’t legally kidnapping; it was a domestic dispute, his hands were tied and I had to leave.

“Within a year, Jason took Jared and disappeared. My lawyer took the rest of the money on file and disappeared, quit responding to my calls and was never at her office when I came by. For another year, I desperately tried to find somebody who could do something. I didn’t know where my son was, didn’t know if he was okay – I didn’t know anything.

“I haven’t seen my son now for almost ten years. I’ve heard stories through his side of the family about how he’s doing, and it isn’t good. For a while, they were getting occasional emails from Jason and one or two from Jared, but the emails stopped a few years ago.

“I heard about Tom from a friend of a friend. After years of searching, I was eager to find anyone that would help, or could help for that matter. Tom did what a private investigator does and helped me find him.

“My son is 14 now. Jason’s girlfriend is “Mom”, and I’ve recently been hit with a $12,000 bill for back child support. I still haven’t seen Jared, have no idea what he looks like or whether he even remembers me, but, thanks to Tom, I know where he is. I have a great lawyer, recommended by Tom, who’s helping me get the legal stuff taken care of. I hope and pray that it won’t be long before I can see my son again.

“I’m sharing my story for mothers and fathers stuck in similar situations, no matter where you live. Tom is a private investigator for Massachusetts and New Hampshire, but there are others around the U.S. if you don’t live in these states. Hire a private investigator with the know how to find kidnapped or missing children. Don’t search on your own for years. Don’t let those precious childhood years pass without you.”

Thank you, Carol, for sharing your story.

The heart breaking truth is that Carol’s story isn’t unique. It’s a painful, common occurrence. It’s important to remember that verbal agreements between separated or divorced partners don’t count in court, whether you live in Massachusetts, New Hampshire or anywhere else in the U.S. Unless you have a court order for child custody, you don’t have much recourse should a situation like Carol’s occur.

If it does, don’t wait. The longer a child is missing, the harder it is to find them. Contact a private investigator in your area, tell them what’s going on and find out what they can do to help. If you live in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont or Maine, you can contact me through here, through the contact form on Nickels Private Investigations, by email and by phone at 603-623-6664 (business phone) or 603-315-2973 (cell).

Tagged as: Child custody, Child Kidnapping, Massachusetts, NH, private investigator