In Illinois and elsewhere, parents involved in legal matters concerning their children are often driven by strong emotions that can lead to intense battles between the adults. Most parents wish to keep the best interests of a child at heart when attempting to resolve child custody issues. A recent case underscores the fact that, sometimes, things can get way out of hand and law enforcement agents become involved.
The parents involved in the dispute were identified as a 19-year-old mother and a 20-year-old father. The child, whose age was not publicized, was at the residence of the father and paternal grandparents when the incident took place. Apparently, the mother and maternal grandparents arranged a police escort to attempt to take custody of the child due a temporary protection from abuse court order that the mother possessed.
When the officers made contact with the child’s paternal grandparents, they apparently refused to release the child to authorities because the date on the order was listed as Aug. 31, 2015, which had not yet arrived. Police say that they explained to all involved that they believed the document was in error and that everyone should remain calm while they contacted the proper sources to resolve the issue. However, in the meantime, the child’s father reportedly arrived and attempted to flee the scene with the child in his vehicle. The child’s mother and maternal grandfather allegedly took action to try to prevent the child’s father from leaving the property.
Police say the scene became chaotic as they shouted for all involved adults to remain still and obey their orders. Several of those involved were charged with endangering the welfare of a child, reckless driving and intent to riot. The child is reportedly still at the home of the paternal grandparents, who allegedly told police that their son was not home when officers later returned with the updated and corrected court order. Any Illinois parent who wishes to avoid the confrontation and public mayhem that seems to have occurred in the above case might wish to involve the help of a child custody lawyer to ensure that proper procedures are followed and that the best interests of any children involved are upheld.
Source: triblive.com, “Mon City, Donora families charged after child custody dispute“, Jeremy Sellew, Aug. 19, 2015
