Customer Reviews

The Recovery of Internationally Abducted Children: A Comprehensive Guide

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As a partner in an international law firm in Cairo, Egypt I was very interested in the book. Because of the rules of Islamic law it is much worse to have children abducted to the Middle East than to other places. However it is important to realize that all the Arab countries are not identical and that their legal systems may have very different characteristics, laws, traditions, etc. While Islamic law is normally cited as a basis for the Arab secular laws it is interpreted very differently in different countries. Remember that no matter how many international and national agencies that you talk to, it is still ultimately you who has to manage the process of getting your child back and one of the most importat and urgent steps you need to take is to obtain local counsel in the country where you child has been abducted to.

This is a step by step instruction manual for parents facing this tragedy. There is so much MIS information coming from multiple sources, including the Department of State and Government, that often parents do not know where to turn. This book will point parents (whom are most likely emotionally and physically devastated) in the direction they need to go, depending on the circumstances of their cases. It can provide the hand-holding that many parents need, and do not get from local, state, federal or international authorities. I highly recommend this not only to victim parents, but to all authorities that are involved with Family Law (attorneys, GAL's, Judges, law inforcement). With the diversity of the United States, and the increasing instances of multi-national marriages, this book could actually circumvent a tragedy from occuring, by educating people what could happen in the worst of circumstances.

Personal Review from a parent: I bought this book when my daughter was abducted to India in May of '98. I was so releived to have such a great source of information that I was able to read and understand. It didn't come from the State Department, (lord knows how many copies of International Abduction PREVENTION packets they sent me after my daughter was gone.) it didn't come from a national missing children's agency, but from a parent who has experienced the outrage first hand. The information put me in a position of being somewhat in control of what needed to be done. The level of shock that I expereinced at first kept me from doing what really needed to be done immediately. When I bought the book, it put everything in perspective and I was able to get things accomplished on my own. I have used the book to teach and update my own attoneys on the laws and procedures on international abduction. My own daughter is now home safely and the book will be passed on to my attorney who may come to this experience again an for that parent will be prepared even before they get to court in the first place. THank you Maureen for your insight, wisdom and strength. -CJ Beach Mother of Mallika Renee Beach

After reading the book, I have discovered how informative and educating it was as a parent. A must for all parents searching for their lost child, and those who fear abduction. The resources, the law, and the simplicity; is like someone beside you telling you exactly what to do and when. And then when your next question comes up, "what next?," An answer. Nothing like getting direction from someone who has been there and done it! I love the embassy directory, an obvious must when a child has been taken to another country. I highly recommend this to all local, state, and federal agencies that deal with this issue. Maureen Dabbagh should be in charge of recovery in our federal agencies.

As a father, and also as a supporter of parents who have had their children abducted abroad, I am well aware of the lack of information and resources available to those parents, agencies and the authorities that are invovled in these cases. The RECOVERY OF INTERNATIONALLY ABDUCTED CHILDREN offers a resource not availalbe anywhere else to parents and to professionals dealing with this issue. No where have I ever come across a publication which provides so many resources, law, directories, and how-to chapters. This book should be mandated as the hand book for every case worker in the U.S. Department of State, Division of Children's Issues, as well as missing Children's Organizations. Most importantly, I think every lawyer, judge and police officer should have to memorize it. I applaud this authors courage to produce such a positive contribution to the very system that appears to have failed her.
-R.C. King

If you are unfortunately searching for this book, then it is a must read. It is easy to read, unlike the volumes of text you can find on the net. It is very comprehensive, covering all types of scenarios. Buy this book, and God Bless the author!!!

Although Ms. Dabbaugh has made a good effort to assist other victim parents in this summary of pubilicly available information, it should be noted that her presentation of Islamic law is often in error. Incidents reported to be representative of the application of the Shariah (Islamic) Law within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are not factual, can mislead the reader, and appear to be representative of a negative ethnic stereotype of the Arabic culture and traditions. In circumstances involving the custody abduction of children to the Islamic countries, it is advised that the reader seek advice from the US Department of State as well as the Embassy representing the nation to which the child has been abducted.