OFFICIAL COMMENT

An abduction may occur before a child-custody proceeding has commenced, after the filing but before entry of a child-custody determination, or in violation of an existing child- custody determination. To obtain abduction prevention measures, either the court on its own may impose the measures or a party to a child custody proceeding or an individual or entity having the right to seek custody may file a petition seeking abduction prevention measures.

A court hearing a child custody case may determine that the evidence shows a credible risk of abduction. Therefore, even without a party filing a petition under this Act, the court on its own motion can impose appropriate abduction prevention measures. Usually, however, a parent who fears that the other parent or family members are preparing to abduct the child will file a petition in an existing custody dispute. An individual or other entity, such as the state child welfare agency, which has a right to lawful custody may file a petition alleging a risk of abduction and seeking prevention measures with respect to a child who is not yet the subject of a child-custody determination.