Mom faces prison times for fleeing with son

Family law is making headlines this week, as a Hawaii mom faces jail time for illegally taking her son to Japan, amid a bitter custody battle. Eileen Tojo took her infant son and three other children from another father from Oahu to Japan for four and a half years during a bitter custody dispute, even though the court ordered her to keep the boy in Hawaii. As a result, she is facing up to five (5) years in prison.

The headline serves as a reminder that there are serious consequences for failing to abide by a court order. If you fear for your safety, or want to leave the state with your child(ren), you need to follow the proper steps. Most of the time, that would require filing a motion and having the judge grant an order allowing a move or change in custody/parenting time.

For more information on removing your child from the State, contact our office for a free consultation.