Another Mom kidnaps a child from his dad

Can you imagine if a dad did this what would happen. In North America an amber alert would occur and the combined talents of the FBI, RCMP, State and Provincial Police as well as local cops would be mobilized. Rules of engagement would be far more egregious including Tasering if warranted and take into custody because if he is a man he is potentially violent and may be deranged - after all he kidnapped his own child and worst of all he is a man.

Have You Seen This Missing Boy?

5:41pm UK, Wednesday December 17, 2008

A High Court judge has stepped in to help a father whose son was snatched by his mother as she tried to prevent him seeing the child.

Joanne Skinner with her son Ashley

Missing seven-year-old Ashley Skinner has not been seen by his father Michael Turberville since he vanished with his mother Joanne Skinner more than a year ago.

However, his bid to trace him has been hampered because a legal restriction meant Ashley's identity could not be revealed.

Normally the anonymity ruling is made to protect children who are involved in access or custody disputes.

However, in this case the president of the High Court Family Division ruled the restriction could be lifted in the hope that publicity will aid Mr Turberville to track down Ashley.

Sir Mark said: "This is a boy who has been snatched by his mother during court proceedings intended to decide how much contact he should have with his father.

"As a result, Ashley is being deprived of a relationship with his father."

This mother's behaviour is to be deplored. She has gone to extreme lengths to go to ground with Ashley and to cover her trail so as to avoid detection.

Sir Mark Potter, President of the High Court Family Division

There is evidence that Ms Skinner, 35, fled abroad and IT consultant Mr Turberville, 41, believes she may be living with the boy in Australia.

Until shortly after Ashley's third birthday, the mother had allowed Mr Turberville to see the boy, but she then changed her mind and he started court proceedings.

Later, she made criminal allegations against the father - unconnected with Ashley - of which he was acquitted by a jury and exonerated by the family court in September last year.

Shortly after that, Ms Skinner and her son disappeared from their home in Islington, north London. A series of court orders aimed at tracing them have met with no success.

In April this year, Ms Skinner's mother received a letter from her daughter posted in the US, although Mr Turberville believes it was written in Australia and handed to someone to post in America.

She said Ashley had started school, but she was not officially registered at her address and was earning cash from childminding.

Sir Mark Potter said: "It seems she has taken, and will continue to take, every opportunity to defeat the court process."

:: Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ms Skinner and Ashley is asked to contact the Tipstaff to the Royal Courts of Justice in London on 020 7947 6200 (international: + 44 20 7947 6200).