§ 11-26-1.2 - Abduction of child prior to court order. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 11-26-1.2

   § 11-26-1.2  Abduction of child prior tocourt order. – (a) Any parent, or any person acting pursuant to directions from the parent,who shall, after being served with process in an action affecting the family,but prior to the issuance of a temporary or final order determining custody ofa minor child, take or entice a child away from the family unit, whether withinor without the state of Rhode Island, for the purpose of depriving the otherparent of physical custody of the child for a period greater than fifteen (15)days, shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished byimprisonment for a term up to two (2) years, or a fine of not more than tenthousand dollars ($10,000), or both.

   (b) No person shall be deemed to have violated this sectionif the action:

   (1) Is taken to protect the child from imminent physical harm;

   (2) Is taken by a parent fleeing from imminent physical harmto himself or herself;

   (3) Is consented to by both parents; or

   (4) Is otherwise authorized by law.