Created in 2005, by Michael Castillo, as an online petition to stop parental child abduction,

the leading cause of missing children world-wide, Helpspan.org gained world recognition for bringing

awareness and creating legislation protecting children from this form of child abuse.

Parental child abduction is a form of Parental Alienation Syndrome in which either parent

engages in the act of concealing their child(ren), denying access to their child(ren) from the other parent 

without just cause, or notice. If unwarranted, this is a malicious attempt to destroy the

character of other parent and family members in an attempt to control and manipulate the child(ren).

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The laws proposed work with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act 

(UCCJEA) and existing federal law, Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act (PKPA), creating new laws

that protect children from birth up and until when a court order is enacted.

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The legislation allows all minors who are in danger, to be listed as missing in the National Missing 

Persons Clearinghouse. We are seeking the use of Amber Alerts to be included. This law also 

recognizes un-wed parents and establishes immediate protection of all children starting at birth.

This law allows punitive measures for violators and protection for those who are fleeing a dangerous 

situation.                                                                                                                                                               Parental Child Abduction Victims speak out

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History

In 2004, a paper form petition was created to stop parental child abduction.  A year later, the petition gathered much support and went online as HelpSpan.org. Awareness of parental child abduction was fairly new and the producers of the Dr. Phil Show called to air this story for his segments regarding Parental Alienation Syndrome. Soon after, several children’s advocacy and social support groups gave their support in this proposed legislation. With the use of grass roots door to door, and social media marketing, emails, and flyers, public awareness exploded.  National radio host and friend, Jimmy Jay, graciously donated the Helpspan.org radio ad. This public service announcement ran for months on his nationally syndicated radio show.  This drew the attention of a national audience, more families, celebrities, child advocates, state, and federal officials.

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The very first Helpspan law was created in 2007 in Missouri. A representative called and requested to utilize the Helpspan petition as a working model for legislation in which became the example for Texas. The Missouri legislation and national media coverage propelled parental child abduction into a social movement and by 2009, people from Europe, the Middle East, and Canada began using this petition as a model for their legal proposals. 

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In January 2011, Harris County Texas Chair and friend, Rhonda Omberg initiated the first meeting between Michael Castillo and Representative Scott Hochberg. This was the start of this historic legislation. Working closely with Legislative Aide Rahul Sreenivasan, gathering support with member in Congress. 

The Texas Helpspan petition was supported by Representatives Scott Hochberg, Tan Parker, Pete Gallegos, and Senator Juan Hinojosa.

Gathering 100% approvals from all members of Congress, Texas (82)HB 2662, (82)HB 3439, and (82) HB 2367 were created and signed into law on September 1, 2011. 

HB2662 became the nation's first law that recognizes parentally kidnapped children and runaways, who are in danger, as missing, and utilizes the Amber Alert system. 

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Current

 

As of 2016, a total of seven states have enacted parental child abduction legislation. However, there remains over 40 states that currently do not have parental child abduction legislation. With the rise of parental child abduction each year, it is imperative that the remaining 43 states enact a form of parental child abduction legislation that protects a child at birth.  Please help in sponsoring legislation in your state.

Please contact us for more information.