CA - Tomas Betsis-Dunstan, a fourth grade student at Marquez Charter Elementary School, was abducted by a non-custodial parent, George Betsis, on the morning of April 3.
Principal Phillip Hollis: "We did have a custody issue. It is now in the hands of the LAPD."
According to a police report, the child was dropped off at 8:50 a.m. and the father was seen taking him away from the school a few minutes later. Police speculate that the father was waiting for the boy to be dropped off and then grabbed him.
Betsis, an Australian national, is in a custody battle with his ex-wife over guardianship of the child. He asked Australian courts to grant him guardianship, but was denied. A U.S. court ordered Betsis to return his son to the West Los Angeles police station. Betsis called the station and acknowledged the order, but told an officer he would not comply.
Police are now seeking the public's help in locating the 10-year-old boy and his 49-year-old father.
Tomas is white, weighs 110 pounds, has a medium build and has dark hair. His father is described as 5'8' tall, 200 pounds, with brown hair and eyes, a medium build and dark complexion. Betsis is believed to be driving a 2009 gray Kia Sorrento with the California license plate 6ELL191.
Betsis is considered a flight risk. "We've taken precautions so that he won't leave the country, and Australian officials have been notified."
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Betsis or Tomas is asked to call Mounger at (310) 444-1533. After-hours and on weekends, calls may be directed to the West Los Angeles watch commander at (310) 444-0701 or to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-527-3247. Callers may also text 'Crimes' with a cell phone or log on to http://www.lapdonline.org/and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with 'LAPD.'
Tipsters may remain anonymous.
Source:
Marquez Fourth Grader Abducted
Principal Phillip Hollis: "We did have a custody issue. It is now in the hands of the LAPD."
According to a police report, the child was dropped off at 8:50 a.m. and the father was seen taking him away from the school a few minutes later. Police speculate that the father was waiting for the boy to be dropped off and then grabbed him.
Betsis, an Australian national, is in a custody battle with his ex-wife over guardianship of the child. He asked Australian courts to grant him guardianship, but was denied. A U.S. court ordered Betsis to return his son to the West Los Angeles police station. Betsis called the station and acknowledged the order, but told an officer he would not comply.
Police are now seeking the public's help in locating the 10-year-old boy and his 49-year-old father.
Tomas is white, weighs 110 pounds, has a medium build and has dark hair. His father is described as 5'8' tall, 200 pounds, with brown hair and eyes, a medium build and dark complexion. Betsis is believed to be driving a 2009 gray Kia Sorrento with the California license plate 6ELL191.
Betsis is considered a flight risk. "We've taken precautions so that he won't leave the country, and Australian officials have been notified."
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Betsis or Tomas is asked to call Mounger at (310) 444-1533. After-hours and on weekends, calls may be directed to the West Los Angeles watch commander at (310) 444-0701 or to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-527-3247. Callers may also text 'Crimes' with a cell phone or log on to http://www.lapdonline.org/and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with 'LAPD.'
Tipsters may remain anonymous.
Source:
Marquez Fourth Grader Abducted
I hate to see kids stuck in the middle of a custody battle. Adults should be adult enough to work out visitation. In those cases where visitation is dangerous to the child, a restraining order should be sought - with good documenting evidence.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with Tomas Betsis-Dunstan. I hope he is able to come out of this ordeal unharmed.
ReplyDeleteI hope the child comes through this unscathed too, but I imagine he won't. it's a shame.
ReplyDeleteI don't like what happened, but I also don't like the wording that the boy was abducted by a "noncustodial parent". Why not just say by the "father"?
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to see a tug of war with another child in the middle.
ReplyDeleteOne factually incorrect statement is the non-custodial one - as both parent's have a shared custody arrangement.
ReplyDeletea non custodial parent means that the parent without custody has had it revoked by the courts, it means that there has already been a court case and that the parent was deemed unfit. When ever a non-custodial parent has abducted a child, it means that the child is in known danger. Just because you are a biological parent, doesn't mean you can abuse your child, and when the other parent has taken steps to protect the child that, obtained court orders, that parent should be assisted,and not criticized. This is the person who has and is fighting for their child's welfare.
ReplyDelete