Rockefeller Kidnapping Case–What Else Bears Mention
Jed Hresko, Deputy Director of Fathers & Families, has an interesting new piece on Clark Rockefeller's apparent abduction of his 7-year-old daughter during a supervised visitation. The two are pictured.
Like Fathers & Families, I condemn Rockefeller's actions. However, his possible mistreatment in his divorce also bears mention. Hresko writes:
Boston, MA - Boston Police issued an Amber Alert this Sunday for Clark Rockefeller and his daughter Reigh, after Rockefeller was accused of kidnapping the 7-year-old during a supervised visit.
The dramatic Newbury Street abduction, Rockefeller’s colorful past and the family’s wealthy Beacon Hill lifestyle helped fuel a media manhunt that’s kept the story on the front page throughout the week.
While the media treats the case like a socialite soap opera, they miss the real point. A system that cuts one parent out of the child’s life breeds custodial abductions.
This presumption of “primary custody” in the family courts and our culture made it acceptable for the girl’s mother to move Reigh to London last December, leaving Rockefeller devastated.
Some details are unclear, since the divorce records were impounded at the couple’s request. Prior to the abduction, there is no record of either parent alleging abuse or neglect by the other. And, we've confirmed through local sources the reports that Rockefeller was a doting father and the girl’s primary caregiver until the divorce.
Continue reading here.
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Hmmm. So much for the “primary caregiver” standard in awarding custody. I guess that only applies if the primary caregiver happens to be female.