89R3825 BK-D
By: Cortez H.C.R. No. 10
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Every year, an estimated 260,000 children are
abducted in the United States, and in more than three-quarters of
these cases, the abduction is perpetrated by a family member of the
victim, typically a parent; and
WHEREAS, Family abductions often occur in the midst of
contentious divorce or child custody battles; because the abductor
is commonly a parent, kidnappings may not be recognized or reported
by witnesses, and the abducting parent may attempt to take the child
across state lines or even to a foreign country; in 2022, family
abduction cases accounted for 58 percent of all AMBER Alerts that
were issued; and
WHEREAS, Although most family abductions don't pose the same
imminent danger to the child as an abduction by a stranger, family
abductions are serious criminal offenses that can have devastating
impacts on children and families; and
WHEREAS, Parental kidnapping is illegal in every state, and
it is often prosecuted as a felony-level offense; these cases are
treated with the utmost urgency by law enforcement officials, who
work to return kidnapped children to their rightful home, even in
cases where the child does not face a threat of physical harm; and
WHEREAS, Family abductions are a violation of established
custodial rights that can have far-reaching effects on all who are
involved, and by focusing attention on the seriousness of this
crime, we may better protect our state's youngest and most
vulnerable residents from harm; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate May 23 as Family Abduction Awareness Day; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in
effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is
finally passed by the legislature.