Apr 21 2018
What happens if a parent denies the other parent his/her court ordered parenting time due to abuse concerns?
A parent who believes that his/her child has been abused by the other parent and resorts to “self-help” remedies by withholding parenting time from the other could lose custody, especially if the abuse concerns are ultimately not substantiated. Additionally, a parent can be charged with a felony deprivation of parental rights if she/he wrongfully withholds court-ordered parenting time
A parent who has genuine concerns for safety of his/her child has several options in lieu of simple “self-help” measures
- Seeking an OFP (order for protection) on behalf of a child in family court
- Calling CPS (child protective services) or the police to report suspected abuse
- Seeking an agreement or stipulation to modify/suspend parenting time
- Seeking an emergency change in custody/parenting time
- Filing a private CHIPS petition
- Seeking an emergency domestic abuse order in juvenile court
