CHILD ABDUCTION UNIT

The Shasta County District Attorney’s Child Abduction Unit consists of a full‑time, sworn peace officer and a non‑sworn technician. The Child Abduction Unit are not first responders to child custody offenses or child visitation issues. If you believe a child abduction occurred, immediately contact the law enforcement agency where the abduction occurred and report the abduction. If you wish to have the child / children listed in the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children, contact local law enforcement (Police Departments or Sheriff’s Office) to have the abducted child / children entered in the national system. If you do not have a custody order or have one but have not been following it, you should go to the Family Court and obtain an order or modify your existing orders. See below listed resources for locations and contact information to assist with obtaining legal help.

What We Do

The Shasta County District Attorney’s Office Child Abduction Unit investigates reported child abductions after the initial report from local law enforcement is forwarded to our unit. The main priority of the Child Abduction Unit is the welfare of abducted children and we strive to minimize the emotional trauma to children who have been abducted. The Child Abduction Unit can also take action to gain compliance with existing child custody orders through education and cooperation, prior to filling a criminal case. Our office does not assist with runaways or delinquent juveniles.  For runaway and delinquent juveniles please contact law enforcement or seek assistance through other family resources, which are located in the Resources/Links section below or by clicking on the Shasta County Resource Guide.

The Shasta County District Attorney's Office may also assign staff to investigate reported violations of court orders. Parties are encouraged to report the court order violations under California Penal Code 166.4 to the online reporting websites to the law enforcement office having jurisdiction, such as the Redding Police, Shasta County Sheriff, or Anderson Police. The Child Abduction Unit acts on behalf of the Superior Court and the People of the State of California. The District Attorney does not represent you as an individual. There is no attorney-client relationship, therefore, any information you provide may be subject to disclosure.

If our investigations reveal a child has been maliciously taken, enticed away, kept, withheld or concealed from a lawful custodian, our office may begin working on the safe recovery of the abducted children. Child Abduction can be committed both by parents and by non-parents.

The Shasta County District Attorney's Office can obtain court orders enabling investigators to travel to other jurisdictions (including other states and countries) to recover and return abducted children to the victim parent, a legal guardian, or the proper child protective agency. On a routine basis, the Child Abduction Unit works with courts and law enforcement agencies throughout the United States to facilitate the safe recovery of children who are carried across state lines.

In cases of international child abduction, the Child Abduction Unit implements the terms of the Hague Convention, an international treaty signed by more than 85 countries.  This effort involves a working relationship with the U.S. State Department, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Attorney General of California in helping to recover children taken to or from foreign lands.

Our office may file criminal charges against the parties responsible for the child abduction. Child abduction is a felony and is defined in California Penal Code sections 278 and 278.5. Individuals who violate the terms of a court order may be charged with a misdemeanor violation of a court order under California Penal Code section 166.4.

Court Order Violations

Good Cause Notifications