Kidnapping or Custodial Interference?

Recent kidnappings in the Shoals and Birmingham area have prompted questions among our readership. Here are three quick takes on "kidnapping."

1. No matter how well you think you know the "birth mother/father" of your child, DO NOT encourage or condone contact. In the end, this is your decision, but most such cases end badly. See this past weekend's kidnapping scenario in Muscle Shoals.

2. Kidnapping or Custodial Interference? If you allow your child to go with an individual who fails to return the little one, this is usually ruled Custodial Interference. This carries a lesser charge than Kidnapping and usually involves family members or close friends.

3. Amber Alerts? Authorities have to determine a threat or danger to the child. Sometimes law enforcement appears to have its collective head up its backside. The Muscle Shoals kidnapping? The kidnapper had drugs for herself, but no meds for the child. Isn't this a danger?

Let's just be thankful that the little girl in Muscle Shoals is being returned to her home and pray that the same can soon be said for the Birmingham child. No one loves a kidnapper. There are several out there who should remember that and stay off Facebook attempting to get sympathy for being a rapist.