Please help me!!! I don't know what to do!

United States
December 11, 2006 6:12pm CST
My husband, soon-to-be exhusband, has ran off with our 5 year old son. And there isn't a damn thing I can do about it. I have no phone numbers, no addresses....nothing..it's been 2 months. Now, he is contacting me online and leaving me threatening messages...(I have our 2 year old daughter). He's trying to con me into meeting him somewhere but I know all he wants to do is try to steal her from me. He's done lost his mind...He's threatening to "have me removed" which to me is threatening my life. He's also made other comments that I'd better watch my back cause he could have somebody "take care of me" and take her. I'm constantly a nervous wreck, not only about watching my back but for my son too. He messages me and tells me that my son has gotten stitches, fallen, sick, etc. Anyways, I can't get him in trouble for nothing because I don't know where in the heck he is....What should I do????
2 people like this
78 responses
@loopie (123)
• United States
12 Dec 06
I went through this similiar event a year ago with my sons father, Here's what I did and hopefully it will help you. If he is sending you threatening emails. Save them full headers and all print them and give them to your local police, press kidnapping charges on him for your son if you can some states have different by laws reguarding this. You may however, have to wait until a court proceeding rules you as primary custodial parent. Further more, get a protection from abuse order for you and your daughter living with you, that the father is a posed threat, you fear that he may be hurting your son. If you can't find him, hire a private investigator to track him down. Odds are he is using a credit card, or his social security number somewhere, and that is easily traced. Also, check out local organisations geared to helping single mothers, Like WIN (Women In Need) this is an organisation for Women who are or have been abused. They help with legal matters if you can/or cannot afford an attorney. If You do not have a WIN in your area, Go to your church, if you don't go to a church go to your local town/city representative they will have a resource listing for you of all available charities and abuse agencies in your area. Once you find out where he is immediately get a no tresspass order made, its easy just type of a paper (you can do this) that states So and So is not allowed on the grounds of your property (street and up to 50Kilometers radious of your home included) if you live in a developement (he's not allowed in that developement) your place of work or where the children go to school, or daycare. Once you have that typed up sign it and make several copies take the original copy to your post office and have it mailed certified to his address (costs $5) Then with your extra copies, keep one in your records, give one to your landlord, or developement manager, one to your attorney, and one to your local police station. If after court proceeding the courts declare you primary custodial parent (which they will most likely) you may request that when he does get visitation that is be supervised (you can use organisations like Children and Youth Services etc to be the supervisors during these visitations. So that you know your children are safe and he can't run off with them. I hope this helps you, and if you like you can add me to your friends list, if you need any more info, and maybe I can help you find organisations in your area.
• United States
12 Dec 06
Call the cops!! He had no right to take the child did he?? The cops will put out a warrant for him and they will find him. Even though it is his son it is considered kidnapping if the mom doesn't know where he is. So call the cops ASAP! Plus show them all the threatening messages he has sent you
1 person likes this
@leedug (920)
• United States
12 Dec 06
Soldenski, I am gonna agree with the poster. You have no idea what she is going through and to make an accusation that she is lying just because of her profile is kind of childish on your part.
1 person likes this
@soldenski (2503)
• United States
12 Dec 06
I don't think this is true. Her posting I mean, I looked on her profile and she write's about having nine children and nothing about any of this.
• United States
12 Dec 06
soldenski- I'd like to tell you where to go but I'm not going to. I'll keep my composure because I know that probably half the crap on here probably isn't true, so I kind of understand why you would be so RUDE. But, for those of us where it IS TRUE, it really hurts when people make comments like that. I WISH it weren't true. I'd just appreciate it if you would not post anymore comments. Thank you.
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
12 Dec 06
you have to get the police involved. This could constitute child abduction or kidnap. Also the threats to your life are a criminal act you really should get police help here they will find him
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Dec 06
It's not kidnap, we are going through a divorce, which means that neither one of us has sole custody yet. And as far as the police are concerned, all they tell me is to "get a lawyer"....well, to get a lawyer, I have to know what state he is in and I don't. I've done credit history checks on him to see if I could pull an address or phone number up....But, it don't pull nothing up. He's literally vanished...I'm not going to give up though. I have hired an attorney(for the divorce) in the state he filed for divorce in, and I'm going to get my full custody order, and I will track him down if I have to everyday for the rest of my life. I will have my son back. It's just a long drawn out slowwww process. And it sucks, I miss him so much! Thanks for the response!
@5berries (120)
• United States
12 Dec 06
If you filed for a seperation or divorce before he took off with him it does count as kidnapping. Once those papers are filed you are not allowed to take the child across state lines. At least in my state.
1 person likes this
@lissaj (532)
• United States
12 Dec 06
He filed for divorce and there are children involved. So he will have to show up in court. Keep copies off all the emails he is sending you, keep any messages that he has left you on the computer or the answering machine and keep daily notes as to what he is saying about killing you and about the kids. In order to get custody, he has to be in court, and you can deal with it there. I see no reason why they judge will give him custody. He may even put him in jail for the threats. Once you have the kids, get a restraining order, ask for him not to be able to have visitation(as he has threatened to kill you) and move if possible. If for some reason he doesn't show up and the judge gives you custody, then he will be in contempt and will go to jail. It may take awhile to find him, but once you have the order, the police will find him.
1 person likes this
@Trace86 (5030)
• United States
12 Dec 06
Save everything he sends you and show it to the police and your divorce lawyer. If they won't treat it as kidnapping, how about missing persons? What kind of email is he using, can the police trace it to see where he used a computer to send it from? Do not meet him anywhere without back-up!
• United States
12 Dec 06
It's not an email, its' a messanger, yahoo messenger, and i save everything! Thanks for the response!
@amber81 (288)
• United States
12 Dec 06
Alright,Well You cant get him for kidnap seeing how you all are still Married and yet not divorced... SO, I would still notify the police so they can help you find your son, also think that maybe since you all are going though a divorce maybe they will they do alittle more about it then you think they would... give it a shot ... anything to get your baby home!!!
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Dec 06
Its still kidnapping though they are not divorced. Its called parental kidnapping, but only if he has crossed the state line with her son. If parents are in the middle of a divorce and one takes the child without consent of the other its kidnapping.
1 person likes this
@bilook1 (152)
• United States
22 Jan 07
Continue with the divorce and Child custody the courts will have to serve him and if he does not appear you will get custody. This is the hardest thing any parent can go though give your children over to God the pain of this can drain you I know this sounds like a cop out but don't let him take your health and peace of mind to. This guy is a worm and all hot air the threats are his way of shutting you up I've busted Guys like this and he'll cry like a baby when he is arrested. We'll keep you and your children in our prayers
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Jan 07
Thank you so much for the response, and you are probably right. I have good news though! I've found them since I posted this! So, hopefully, I'll have my baby back soon! Thanks again, have a great day!
@anup12 (4177)
• India
21 Dec 06
It's unfortuante and it is very childish on the part of your husband to do these types of silly things
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Dec 06
have you tried talking to his parents or siblings? Maybe they could be of some help, and I am sure they are concerned about your sons welfare, so maybe if you show them the messages about your son being hurt they will open up and help you, also try contacting child services in the state he filed for divorce in, let them know about the messages, and see if maybe they can locate him, surely they would not let someone keep a child who is behaving in this manor.
1 person likes this
@shooie (4984)
• United States
14 Dec 06
take it to the police they can track ip's and get a where about on him....
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Dec 06
Don't you think you should contact the local police? Sure, you don't know where he is because you have no address or phone number to track him down with, but the cops can find out - more or less - where he is messaging you from. (Something about IP addresses, I think.) Oh, and save all the text messages, too.
1 person likes this
@ferozali (54)
• India
12 Dec 06
These situations causes because of loose in trust between you both,making him beleive that you have not done any thing wrong,but still if tries to take your daughter away from you,better consult with cops.
• United States
8 Jan 07
Go to www.prepaidlegal.com, sign up for a membership at $26/month. They will do the rest for you as far as the lawyer situation goes. Next, keep a log of all the messages he sends you. Print them out and order them. Then when the authorities ask for proof, you have it. Granted if he is contacting you online you can't be sure it is him, so that would feel like it is tough to track. However, there are computer people out there who can trace the IP address and they will be able to come up with a location of the computer. If it is a laptop with wireless it will be harder to trace, and the police may have to be involved for that one. Do not be afraid of them or think they are not helping you, they can only do so much. Get a lawyer first, and then you will be more empowered to get what you need. And I understand that the purpose of mylot is to aid other people when they write messages, therefore, do not respond in anger when people are rude and insensitive, recognize that they are trying to get you to waste your time. And I believe it falls under the rules against personal attacks, so just report it and don't worry about it. If this is true about your situation, then there is more for you to consider than the insensitivity of others. I don't know if you are involved with one, but I would suggest attending a nearby church too, as they would probably have ministries that would help you deal with your panic and grief as well as having other people who could support and direct you to help regarding the search for your son.
1 person likes this
• Canada
14 Jan 07
I would like to think that if you took this to the police that they would be able to help you find him for they have specialest that can track him on the computer that would be what i would consider anyway hope all turns out for the best for you and your children for I now what its like to loose a child.
@feeding11 (222)
• United States
17 Jan 07
Call the police, file charges, then set up the meeting he wants to have. save everything on your computer he has sent. file for sole custody while he has the kid "kidnapped". file for divorce file assault charges, anything to get the cops after him. good luck.
1 person likes this
@birthlady (5609)
• United States
12 Dec 06
You need to document everything that is said and done. Yes, you need an attorney. Police can only enforce custody orders, they do not make them. Legal and physical custody are in the possessor right now...since there is not a legal custody order yet, he has as much legal right to physical custody as you do. However, he cannot take the child away from you and hide the child, this constitutes felony kidnapping, at least in my state it does. Also, withholding the child from you for over 7 days is also a felony. Go to court. Get your custody order for both children. Go immediately. Also request that he has only supervised visitation with the children, because he has already taken off with your son. It doesn't matter if he doesn't show up in court, he will loose by default, its the adjudicated court order you need. Also, get a court order for child support. It doesn't matter that you don't know where he is, or that he left. Once you have these court orders, go after him through the Child Support Division, the District Attorney's office will look for him. Don't give up. Apply for a restraining order because of his threats. Get one right away. Legal aid can help you if you can't afford an attorney. Once all of your legal paperwork is in order, be very careful, this is not a good situation! You're in my prayers...
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
12 Dec 06
You jsut need to get the police involved. . . that's it. Protect yourself and your daughter and let the police do the rest. In some states, when a couple in going through a divorce, if one parents runs away with a child it's considered kidnapping. Just get the police involved. I hope everything turns out good for you.
1 person likes this
@mfrancq (1806)
• United States
12 Dec 06
Have you filed for custody papers yet? You don't have to go through all the way with the divorce before doing this. File for custody papers, and then after those are filed, it is considered kidnapping. Get the cops involved and tell them what is going on. Keep all the emails, because the cops can track what computer he is using and where they are coming from. I wish you the best, and please file the custody papers..they will save you right now, and your child as well.
1 person likes this
• India
12 Dec 06
you cant just telllike this that he ran off.he is still your husband.if you feel insecured then do contact the police as soon as possible.you alone just cant find him out.the best would be to go to the cops and they would do the rest.all the best
1 person likes this
• India
12 Dec 06
get the police involved. Tell them what you have told us. And keep in touch with your husband. Trick him into meeting you and inform the police and sort it out. Try contacting his friends or relatives. He cannot disappear into thin air!
• India
12 Dec 06
hey my dear lady only one thing i wanna say here is no damn creature on earth can seperate a child from his /her mom not even god wishes it so be calm and moreover be brave evil never pays good keep my word and u wont fear the threats ne more