| Gunnar Daniel Berg |
 |
| LBP Name: Douglass Berg |
| Abduction Date: Aug 2009 |
| Last Contact: Aug 2009 |
| Kianna Joanna Berg |
 |
| LBP Name: Douglass Berg |
| Abduction Date: Aug 2009 |
| Last Contact: Aug 2009 |
| Erika Toland |
 |
| LBP Name: Paul Toland |
| Separation Date: Aug 2003 |
| Last Contact: Jul 2004 |
| Keisuke Collins |
 |
| LBP Name: Randy Collins |
| Abduction Date: Jun 2008 |
| Last Contact: Jun 2008 |
Child Abducted?
My child was abducted – What do I do
The “Left-Behind Parents” (LBPs) of BACHome have learned through our own experiences that immediate action is necessary as soon as you discover your child(ren) has been abducted. You will need to be persistent and unyielding to be sure the appropriate authorities are contacted and provide the necessary assistance you need. Do not accept any lack of cooperation in making sure your information and your child(ren’s) information is addressed. Never give up – your kids are depending on you. This list of actions has been compiled over several years by LBPs whose children have been abducted to Japan. Even though BACHome is NOT an official source, we are sharing our personal knowledge and experience to assist you in this crucial time. If your child has been abducted to japan please contact BACHome: bachome@bachome.org
1. Call police: Call your local police to report your child(ren) missing and you need someone to take a report. You may need to be adamant and persistent with them to get a report filed – do not be surprised if the police try to brush you off. Many police officers are not familiar with the international child abduction; especially in regards to Japan. If a uniformed officer is not willing to help, go to detectives or the domestic violence officer. DO NOT ACCEPT NO FOR AN ANSWER. If you have custodial orders, you may be able to file a custodial interference charge. Have all relevant documents, as those stated below, along with pictures of your kids and abductor if available. Do not leave the police station, or allow the officer to leave your home, without filing a charge/report.
2. Contact the FBI. Insist on speaking to someone in the parental abduction unit immediately. Be very persistent. Mention any court decisions or restraining orders you may have involving your children. This should expedite your case if it’s clear the law has been broken and/or court orders have been violated. Do not allow the authorities to make any assumptions of your situation. Make it very clear that the children have been kidnapped/abducted by the other parent and this is a federal crime. If you believe the children have not left the country or are in flight to Japan, have the FBI contact Interpol or their own contacts in Japan to have the child(ren) and the abductor held before going through customs. Hopefully they will all be detained before making into Japan and sent back to the US. Check the following web site to find your local FBI office. http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us
3. Gather information. After making these calls, put together an information binder. This information should include, but not limited to SSN, copies of passports, pictures, court orders, marriage and birth certificates, divorce papers, custody orders, phone records, financial records (bank accts, credit cards) any documentation of assets (ie, bank accts, real estate) still in the United States in the abductor’s and/or immediate relatives names. Having a binder of all documentation will assist you in keeping things organized. Keep a phone log of ALL officials you speak with from ALL agencies. Write down their name, phone number, and extension, as well as the date and time you spoke.
4. Call the U.S. Department of State Office of Children’s Issues. Ask to speak to a Consular Affairs official regarding an abducted child. Make sure you open a case at that moment. Provide all details and information. Be sure to get the officials name and a direct line or extension. http://travel.state.gov/abduction/abduction_580.html
5. Call the District Attorney’s Office of your locality and discuss coming in and having someone review your case. If the DA is unwilling to have you come in, contact the special prosecutor’s office and request a meeting.
6. Contact your congressperson and U.S. Senators Through the efforts of BACHome, we have relationships with numerous congressional offices. It is very probable we already have a contact with your congressional representative. We will assist you assist you in making contact with the appropriate individual within your representative’s office. Inform the office you need to file a new case of international child abduction. If you do not know who your representative is, please give us your name and address and we will provide this information for you. If you so desire, we will assist you in making contact with your representative’s office. Follow this same procedure in contacting your 2 US Senators. Again, BACHome will assist you in contacting your Senators if you so desire. YOU can find your congressional representative at www.house.gov and you US Senators at www.Senate.gov.
7. Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to open a case and discuss the options available to you. (800) 843-5678.
www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PublicHomeServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US
8. If you have an attorney, contact them immediately. Advise the attorney your attorney that the child(ren) has been abducted. File an emergency ex-parte hearing to advise the court of the child abduction, all contact has been severed, and you request need full physical and legal custody since the abductor has committed a criminal offense. This action will keep the jurisdiction in the United States and will not allow the abductor to seek jurisdiction Japan. When referring to the child, be sure to always say OUR child in court. This shows the court you are being the responsible parent while the abductor acts like the child is THEIR child. This sounds much better in the courts. If you do not have an attorney, GET ONE IMMEDIATELY.
9. Hiring an attorney. Ask questions. Be sure the attorney you hire understands the international child abduction issue, especially in dealing with Japan. Your money and time will be wasted here if you retain an attorney who is not versed in the international child abduction issue. Remember, lawyers are paid by the hour. Do not waste your money on an attorney who makes false promises. Litigation and subpoenas do not work in dealing with Japan. Any attorney who makes such promises are unethical or do not understand international child abduction.
10. Try to reach the abducting parent through friends and relatives. Do not be angry or aggressive when speaking to them; keep your tone matter of fact. Often the abducting parent baits the LBP into anger and causes confusion. This is done to validate false claims of abuse or neglect.
11. Reach out and talk to other parents in the same circumstances. We at BACHome are here to help. No one knows or understands what you are feeling except those of us who have gone through it. We are by no means professional counselors. We are parents of abducted children. Please leave your information and one of our LBPs will contact you at our soonest opportunity.
12. Consider hiring a private detective. This can be a valuable resource in locating your child. Provide as much information as possible, but also ask for references. Be sure you feel comfortable with the detective and understand exactly what the expectations are including timeframe of service and price. BACHome may have references of you. Please ask.
13. Contact local media, and newspapers. Plead your case. Home town papers like a human interest story. This is where that stored up emotion is released and best used to convey your message. Plead to the friends and family of the abducting parent and others to return your child. This is also a demand for the authorities to act.
14. Take care of yourself. It is very important you keep yourself healthy, both physically and emotionally. This is a very traumatic experience like you have never felt before. Consult physicians and counselors to assist you and remember BACHome is here to help.
15. Do not act impulsively. Before making any decisions think about what it is you want to accomplish.
16. Research. Do your homework, log onto the State Department, FBI, and NCMEC websites. Use Google keywords like parental child abduction, abduction, Japan, etc. It’s important that you get as much information as possible in order to make good choices and proceed effectively. You can also find a lot of useful information on the BACHome web site.
17. Be careful. There are predators who will attempt to take advantage of you, these include lawyers, private eyes, and potentially others. Trust your instincts, and ask yourself and others questions. Be clear of the motives of others offering to help you. Check facts and verify what some of these people may tell or offer you.
18. Get involved. BACHome LBPs, and many family members, travel to Washington DC regularly to participate in lobbying of our representatives, hearings held by Congress on the issue, and meetings with the State Department on the issue of International Child Abduction. We have organized protests in front of the Japanese Embassy and the home of the Japanese Ambassador to the United States. You are welcome to join us. We have made tremendous strides but we still have a long way to go. We are fighting and raising awareness for our children.
19. Appeal to the abductor. A reconciliation with the abductor is always the best way to ensure the return of your child(ren). Try talking to the abductor’s friends and family. If this cannot work, your only other option is the steps mentioned above. You know the facts of your case and situation. You are the one who is now looking out for the best interest of your child(ren).
BACHome is an organization with a membership requirement we would not wish on anyone. But we are all thankful that it was started. We all have a bond which is unlike any other. We are all parents of abducted children and our only objective is to raise awareness and do whatever we can to get all of our children BAC-HOME.