Child Interference Abuse: Protect Children's Relationships

Navigating the complexities of family dynamics during separation or divorce can be challenging, especially when children are involved. It is crucial to protect children from the harmful effects of parental interference in their relationships with both parents. This type of behavior, known as Child Interference Abuse, can have long-lasting detrimental impacts on a child's emotional well-being and development.

Most importantly, the actions that constitute child interference abuse may be illegal, even criminal, and punishable with fines and incarceration. Child interference abuse is NOT family court issue; it does not a mediation or attorneys to address it...it is a form of child abuse that warrants the same protective measures as a child experiencing physical abuse, neglect or sexual abuse.

Below is a list of each state, plus U.S. territories along with the corresponding statutes.

ALABAMA

• ALA. CODE § 13A-6-45 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY

ALASKA

• ALASKA STAT. § 11.41.300 (2010). KIDNAPPING

• ALASKA STAT. § 11.41.320 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE IN THE FIRST DEGREE

• ALASKA STAT. § 11.41.330 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE IN THE SECOND DEGREE

• ALASKA STAT. § 11.51.125 (2010). FAILURE TO PERMIT VISITATION WITH A MINOR

ARIZONA

• ARIZ. REV. STAT. § 13-1302 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE; CHILD BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK; DEFENSES; CLASSIFICATION

• ARIZ. REV. STAT. § 13-1305 (2010). ACCESS INTERFERENCE; CLASSIFICATION; DEFINITION

ARKANSAS

• ARK. CODE ANN. § 5-26-501 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH VISITATION

• ARK. CODE ANN. § 5-26-502 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH COURT-ORDERED CUSTODY

• ARK. CODE ANN. § 5-26-503 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY

CALIFORNIA

• CAL. PENAL CODE § 277 (2009). DEFINITIONS

• CAL. PENAL CODE § 278 (2009). PUNISHMENT

• CAL. PENAL CODE § 278.5 (2009). ADDITIONAL PUNISHMENT

• CAL. PENAL CODE § 278.6 (2009). AGGRAVATION

• CAL. PENAL CODE § 278.7 (2009). INAPPLICABILITY

• CAL. PENAL CODE § 279 (2009). RESIDENCE

• CAL. PENAL CODE § 279.1 (2009). CONTINUOUS OFFENSES

• CAL. PENAL CODE § 279.5 (2009). BAIL

• CAL. PENAL CODE § 279.6 (2009). LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

• CAL. PENAL CODE § 280 (2009). FAMILY CODE OFFENSES

• CAL. FAM. CODE § 8713 (2009). CONCEALMENT OR REMOVAL OF CHILD FROM COUNTY

• CAL. FAM. CODE § 8803 (2009). CONCEALMENT OR REMOVAL OF CHILD FROM COUNTY

• CAL. FAM. CODE § 8910 (2009). CONCEALMENT OR REMOVAL OF CHILD FROM COUNTY

COLORADO

• COLO. REV. STAT. § 18-3-304 (2009). VIOLATION OF CUSTODY ORDER OR ORDER RELATING TO PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  
  

CONNECTICUT

• CONN. GEN. STAT. § 53A-97 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE IN THE FIRST DEGREE: CLASS D FELONY

• CONN. GEN. STAT. § 53A-98 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE IN THE SECOND DEGREE: CLASS A FELONY

  
  

DELAWARE

• DEL. CODE ANN. TIT. 11, § 781 (2010). UNLAWFUL IMPRISONMENT IN THE SECOND DEGREE; CLASS A MISDEMEANOR

• DEL. CODE ANN. TIT. 11, § 782 (2010). UNLAWFUL IMPRISONMENT IN THE FIRST DEGREE; CLASS G FELONY

• DEL. CODE ANN. TIT. 11, § 783 (2010). KIDNAPPING IN THE SECOND DEGREE; CLASS C FELONY

• DEL. CODE ANN. TIT. 11, § 783A (2010). KIDNAPPING IN THE FIRST DEGREE; CLASS B FELONY

• DEL. CODE ANN. TIT. 11, § 784 (2010). DEFENSE TO UNLAWFUL IMPRISONMENT AND KIDNAPPING

• DEL. CODE ANN. TIT. 11, § 785 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY; CLASS G FELONY; CLASS A MISDEMEANOR

• DEL. CODE ANN. TIT. 11, § 786 (2010). KIDNAPPING AND RELATED OFFENSES; DEFINITIONS

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

• D.C. CODE § 16-1021 (2010). DEFINITIONS.

• D.C. CODE § 16-1022 (2010). PROHIBITED ACTS

• D.C. CODE § 16-1023 (2010). DEFENSE TO PROSECUTION; CONTINUOUS OFFENSES; EXPENSES; JURISDICTION

• D.C. CODE § 16-1024 (2010). PENALTIES

• D.C. CODE § 16-1025 (2010). PROSECUTION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL

• D.C. CODE § 16-1026 (2010). EXPUNGEMENT

FLORIDA

• FLA. STAT. ANN. § 787.03 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY

• FLA. STAT. ANN. § 787.04 (2010). REMOVING MINORS FROM STATE OR CONCEALING MINORS CONTRARY TO STATE AGENCY ORDER OR COURT ORDER

GEORGIA

• GA. CODE ANN. § 16-5-45 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY

  
  

HAWAII

• HAW. REV. STAT. ANN. § 707-726 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE IN THE FIRST DEGREE

• HAW. REV. STAT. ANN. § 707-727 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE IN THE SECOND DEGREE

  
  

IDAHO

• IDAHO CODE ANN. § 18-4506 (2010). CHILD CUSTODY INTERFERENCE DEFINED – DEFENSES – PUNISHMENT

• IDAHO CODE ANN. § 18-1510 (2010). PROVIDING SHELTER TO RUNAWAY CHILDREN

  
  

ILLINOIS

• 720 ILL. COMP. STAT. 5/10-5 (2010). CHILD ABDUCTION

• 720 ILL. COMP. STAT. 5/10-5.5 (2010). UNLAWFUL VISITATION OR PARENTING TIME INTERFERENCE

• 720 ILL. COMP. STAT. 5/10-6 (2010). HARBORING A RUNAWAY

• 720 ILL. COMP. STAT. 5/10-7 (2010). AIDING OR ABETTING CHILD ABDUCTION

  
  

INDIANA

• IND. CODE ANN. § 35-42-3-4 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY

IOWA

• IOWA CODE § 710.5 (2010). CHILD STEALING

• IOWA CODE § 710.6 (2010). VIOLATING CUSTODIAL ORDER

• IOWA CODE § 710.8 (2010). HARBORING A RUNAWAY CHILD PROHIBITED – PENALTY

• IOWA CODE § 710.9 (2010). CIVIL LIABILITY FOR HARBORING A RUNAWAY CHILD

  
  

KANSAS

• KAN. STAT. ANN. § 21-3422 (2009). INTERFERENCE WITH PARENTAL CUSTODY

• KAN. STAT. ANN. § 21-3422A (2009). AGGRAVATED INTERFERENCE WITH PARENTAL CUSTODY

  
  

KENTUCKY

• KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 509.070 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE

  
  

LOUISIANA

• LA. REV. STAT. ANN. § 14:45 (2010). SIMPLE KIDNAPPING

• LA. REV. STAT. ANN. § 14:45.1 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH THE CUSTODY OF A CHILD

MAINE

• ME. REV. STAT. ANN. TIT. 17-A, § 303 (2009). CRIMINAL RESTRAINT BY PARENT

MARYLAND

• MD. CODE ANN., CRIM. LAW § 3-501 (2010). “HOME OR USUAL PLACE OF ABODE” DEFINED

• MD. CODE ANN., CRIM. LAW § 3-502 (2010). KIDNAPPING

• MD. CODE ANN., CRIM. LAW § 3-503 (2010). CHILD KIDNAPPING

• MD. CODE ANN., FAM. LAW § 9-301 (2010). DEFINITIONS

• MD. CODE ANN., FAM. LAW § 9-304 (2010). PROHIBITED ACTS – IN THIS STATE

• MD. CODE ANN., FAM. LAW § 9-305 (2010). PROHIBITED ACTS – OUTSIDE OF THIS STATE

• MD. CODE ANN., FAM. LAW § 9-306 (2010). CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO CHILD

• MD. CODE ANN., FAM. LAW § 9-307 (2010). PENALTIES

MASSACHUSETTS

• MASS. ANN. LAWS CH. 265, § 26A (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE BY RELATIVES

• MASS. ANN. LAWS CH. 265, § 26C (2010). ENTICEMENT OF CHILDREN

• MASS. ANN. LAWS CH. 265, § 27A (2010). VENUE IN CASES OF CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE BY RELATIVES

  
  

MICHIGAN

• MICH. COMP. LAWS § 750.350A (2010). TAKING OR RETAINING CHILD BY ADOPTIVE OR NATURAL PARENT; INTENT; VIOLATION AS FELONY; PENALTY; RESTITUTION FOR FINANCIAL EXPENSE; EFFECT OF PLEADING OR BEING FOUND GUILTY; PROBATION; DISCHARGE AND DISMISSAL; NONPUBLIC RECORD; DEFENSE

MINNESOTA

• MINN. STAT. § 609.26 (2009). DEPRIVING ANOTHER OF CUSTODIAL OR PARENTAL RIGHTS

• MINN. STAT. § 750.138 (2010). CHILDREN; LEGAL CUSTODY; INTERFERENCE

  
  

MISSISSIPPI

• MISS. CODE ANN. § 97-3-51 (2010). INTERSTATE REMOVAL OF CHILD UNDER AGE FOURTEEN BY NONCUSTODIAL PARENT OR RELATIVE

  
  

MISSOURI

• MO. REV. STAT. § 565.115 (2010). CHILD KIDNAPPING – PENALTY

• MO. REV. STAT. § 565.149 (2010). DEFINITIONS

• MO. REV. STAT. § 565.150 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY – PENALTY

• MO. REV. STAT. § 565.153 (2010). PARENTAL KIDNAPPING – PENALTY

• MO. REV. STAT. § 565.156 (2010). CHILD ABDUCTION – PENALTY

• MO. REV. STAT. § 565.160 (2010). DEFENSES TO PARENTAL KIDNAPPING AND CHILD ABDUCTION

• MO. REV. STAT. § 565.163 (2010). VENUE

• MO. REV. STAT. § 565.165 (2010). ASSISTING IN CHILD ABDUCTION OR PARENTAL KIDNAPPING – PENALTY

• MO. REV. STAT. § 565.167 (2010). CUSTODY OF CHILD – PEACE OFFICER TO TAKE CHILD INTO PROTECTIVE CUSTODY, WHEN

• MO. REV. STAT. § 565.169 (2010). RESTITUTION, EXPENSES OF CUSTODIAL PARENT GRANTED, WHEN

• MO. REV. STAT. § 455.538 (2010). LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES RESPONSE TO VIOLATION OF ORDER – ARREST FOR VIOLATION, PENALTIES – CUSTODY TO BE RETURNED TO RIGHTFUL PARTY, WHEN

  
  

MONTANA

• MONT. CODE ANN. § 45-5-304 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE.

• MONT. CODE ANN. § 45-5-631 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH PARENT-CHILD CONTACT

• MONT. CODE ANN. § 45-5-632 (2010). AGGRAVATED INTERFERENCE WITH PARENT-CHILD CONTACT

• MONT. CODE ANN. § 45-5-633 (2010). DEFENSES TO INTERFERENCE WITH PARENT-CHILD CONTACT AND AGGRAVATED INTERFERENCE WITH PARENT-CHILD CONTACT

• MONT. CODE ANN. § 45-5-634 (2010). PARENTING INTERFERENCE

NEBRASKA

• NEB. REV. STAT. ANN. § 28-316 (2010). VIOLATION OF CUSTODY; PENALTY

  
  

NEVADA

• NEV. REV. STAT. ANN. § 200.310 (2009). DEGREES

• NEV. REV. STAT. ANN. § 200.320 (2009). KIDNAPPING IN FIRST DEGREE: PENALTIES

• NEV. REV. STAT. ANN. § 200.330 (2009). KIDNAPPING IN SECOND DEGREE: PENALTIES

• NEV. REV. STAT. ANN. § 200.340 (2009). PENALTY FOR AIDING OR ABETTING

• NEV. REV. STAT. ANN. § 200.350 (2009). WHERE PROCEEDINGS MAY BE INSTITUTED; CONSENT IS NOT DEFENSE

• NEV. REV. STAT. ANN. § 200.357 (2009). LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REQUIRED TO TAKE CHILD INTO PROTECTIVE CUSTODY IF CHILD IN DANGER OF BEING REMOVED FROM JURISDICTION

• NEV. REV. STAT. ANN. § 200.359 (2009). DETENTION, CONCEALMENT OR REMOVAL OF CHILD FROM PERSON HAVING LAWFUL CUSTODY OR FROM JURISDICTION OF COURT: PENALTIES; LIMITATION ON ISSUANCE OF ARREST WARRANT; RESTITUTION; EXCEPTIONS

NEW HAMPSHIRE

• N.H. REV. STAT. ANN. § 633: 4 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY

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NEW JERSEY

• N.J. STAT. ANN. § 2C:13-4 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY

• N.J. STAT. ANN. § 2A:34-31.1 (2010).

  
  

NEW MEXICO

• N.M. STAT. ANN. § 30-4-4 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE; PENALTIES

• N.M. STAT. ANN. § 32A-3B-3 (2010). PROTECTIVE CUSTODY; INTERFERENCE WITH PROTECTIVE CUSTODY; PENALTY

NEW YORK

• N.Y. PENAL LAW § 135.20 (2010). KIDNAPPING IN THE SECOND DEGREE

• N.Y. PENAL LAW § 135.25 (2010). KIDNAPPING IN THE FIRST DEGREE

• N.Y. PENAL LAW § 135.30 (2010). KIDNAPPING; DEFENSE

• N.Y. PENAL LAW §135.45 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE IN THE SECOND DEGREE N.Y. PENAL LAW § 135.50 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE IN THE FIRST DEGREE

NORTH CAROLINA.

• N.C. GEN. STAT. § 14-320.1 (2010). TRANSPORTING CHILD OUTSIDE THE STATE WITH INTENT TO VIOLATE CUSTODY ORDER.

• N.C. GEN. STAT. § 14-41 (2010). ABDUCTION OF CHILDREN

  
  

NORTH DAKOTA

• N.D. CENT. CODE § 12.1-18-01 (2010). KIDNAPPING

• N.D. CENT. CODE § 12.1-18-05 (2010). REMOVAL OF CHILD FROM STATE IN VIOLATION OF CUSTODY DECREE – PENALTY

OHIO

• OHIO REV. CODE ANN. § 2905.05 (2010). CRIMINAL CHILD ENTICEMENT

• OHIO REV. CODE ANN. § 2919.23 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY

OKLAHOMA

• OKLA. STAT. ANN. TIT. 21, § 567A (2010). VIOLATION OF CHILD CUSTODY ORDER – AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE – EMERGENCY OR PROTECTIVE CUSTODY

• OKLA. STAT. ANN. TIT. 21, § 891 (2010). CHILD STEALING – PENALTY

  
  

OREGON

• OR. REV. STAT. § 163.245 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE IN THE SECOND DEGREE

• OR. REV. STAT. § 163.257 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE IN THE FIRST DEGREE

• OR. REV. STAT. § 107.437 (2010). ORDER OF ASSISTANCE TO OBTAIN CUSTODY OF CHILD HELD IN VIOLATION OF CUSTODY ORDER

PENNSYLVANIA

• PA. CONS. STAT. ANN. § 2904 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY OF CHILDREN

• PA. CONS. STAT. ANN. § 2909 (2010). CONCEALMENT OF WHEREABOUTS OF A CHILD

  
  

RHODE ISLAND

• R.I. GEN. LAWS § 11-26-1.1 (2010). CHILDSNATCHING

• R.I. GEN. LAWS § 11-26-1.2 (2010). ABDUCTION OF CHILD PRIOR TO COURT ORDER

• R.I. GEN. LAWS § 11-26-1.4 (2010). KIDNAPPING OF A MINOR

  
  

SOUTH CAROLINA

• S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-17-495 (2009). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE

SOUTH DAKOTA

• S.D. CODIFIED LAWS § 22-19-1 (2009). KIDNAPPING – PENALTY

• S.D. CODIFIED LAWS § 22-19-1.1 (2009). KIDNAPPING IN THE SECOND DEGREE – FELONY

• S.D. CODIFIED LAWS § 22-19-9 (2009). VIOLATION OF CUSTODY ORDER BY PARENT – PENALTY

• S.D. CODIFIED LAWS § 22-19-10 (2009). VIOLATION OF CUSTODY ORDER BY PARENT – CHILD REMOVAL FROM STATE – PENALTY

• S.D. CODIFIED LAWS § 22-19-11 (2009). VIOLATION OF CUSTODY ORDER BY PARENT – DEFENSE

• S.D. CODIFIED LAWS § 22-19-12 (2009). REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES FOR RETURN OF CHILD

  
  

TENNESSEE

• TENN. CODE ANN. § 39-13-306 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE

• TENN. CODE ANN. § 36-1-123 (2010). BIOLOGICAL PARENTS ILLEGALLY OBTAINING CUSTODY OF A CHILD – CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE

  
  

TEXAS

• TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 25.03 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH CHILD CUSTODY

• TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 25.031 (2010). AGREEMENT TO ABDUCT FROM CUSTODY

• TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 25.06 (2010). HARBORING RUNAWAY CHILD

• TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 25.10 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH RIGHTS OF GUARDIAN OF THE PERSON

UTAH

• UTAH CODE ANN. § 76-5-301.1 (2010). CHILD KIDNAPPING

• UTAH CODE ANN. § 76-5-303 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE

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VERMONT

• VT. STAT. ANN. TIT. 13, § 2451 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE

  
  

VIRGINIA

• VA. CODE ANN. § 18.2-47 (2010). ABDUCTION AND KIDNAPPINGS DEFINED; PUNISHMENT

• VA. CODE ANN. § 18.2-49.1 (2010). VIOLATION OF COURT ORDER REGARDING CUSTODY AND VISITATION; PENALTY

• VA. CODE ANN. § 18.2-50 (2010). DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE TO LAW- ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS REQUIRED

WASHINGTON

• WASH. REV. CODE ANN. § 9A.40.010 (2010). DEFINITIONS

• WASH. REV. CODE ANN. § 9A.40.060 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE IN THE FIRST DEGREE

• WASH. REV. CODE ANN. § 9A.40.070 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE IN THE SECOND DEGREE

• WASH. REV. CODE ANN. § 9A.40.080 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE – ASSESSMENT OF COSTS – DEFENSE – CONSENT DEFENSE, RESTRICTED

  
  

WEST VIRGINIA

• W. VA. CODE ANN. § 61-2-14D (2010). CONCEALMENT OR REMOVAL OF MINOR CHILD FROM CUSTODIAN OR FROM PERSON ENTITLED TO VISITATION; PENALTIES; DEFENSES.

• W. VA. CODE ANN. § 61-2-14E (2010). ONE AIDING OR ABETTING IN OFFENSES UNDER § 61-2-14, § 61-2- 14A, § 61-2-14C, § 61-2-14D GUILTY AS PRINCIPAL ; VENUE

  
  

WISCONSIN

• WIS. STAT. ANN. § 948.31 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY BY PARENT OR OTHERS

  
  

WYOMING

• WYO. STAT. ANN. § 6-2-204 (2010). INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY; PRESUMPTION OF KNOWLEDGE OF CHILD’S AGE; AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES; PENALTIES

  
  

FEDERAL LEGISLATION

• 18 U.S.C.S. § 1204 (2010). INTERNATIONAL PARENTAL KIDNAPPING

• 28 U.S.C.S. § 1738A (2010). FULL FAITH AND CREDIT GIVEN TO CHILD CUSTODY DETERMINATIONS

  
  

AMERICAN SAMOA

• AM. SAMOA CODE ANN. §46.3535. INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY

GUAM

• GUAM CODE ANN. TIT. 9, § 22.40 (2010). CHILD STEALING; DEFINED & PUNISHED

• GUAM CODE ANN. TIT. 9, § 22.50 (2010). CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE; DEFINED & PUNISHED

PUERTO RICO

• P.R. LAWS ANN. TIT. 33, § 4243 (2009). CHILD STEALING

• P.R. LAWS ANN. TIT. 33, § 4244 (2009). UNLAWFUL DEPRIVATION OF CUSTODY