This chapter addresses the prevention of child abduction and defines key terms related to child custody and custody proceedings in Pennsylvania. It establishes the scope of laws concerning wrongful removal, custody determinations, and related legal processes. The chapter aims to protect children from abduction and clarify legal procedures involved in custody disputes.
Wrongful removal refers to taking a child in a manner that breaches legal custody rights or court orders, violating custody or visitation arrangements.
It includes any court judgment or order related to legal custody, physical custody, or visitation rights for a child, whether initial, temporary, or modified.
A child is an unemancipated individual under 18 years of age.
Proceedings involving custody, divorce, separation, neglect, abuse, guardianship, paternity, or protection from domestic violence are included.