I am posting this for a friend because she can't do it herself. Relatives of hers had a baby, who was in hospital for various health conditions linked to prematurity. One doctor in one hospital decided that the mother was faking and called Social Services and the police, so the baby was taken away under a Section 20 Agreement, back in April. Since then, an interim care order has been applied for but not agreed, but the baby is still in foster care.
The baby was christened last week, and the parents, instead of returning the baby to its foster parents, have absconded to a European country. This was just prior to the fact-finding hearing which was due to take place next week. The parents were convinced that they would lose their baby as so much has gone wrong for them so far, and procedures appear not to have been correctly followed.
My friend does not know how bad what they have done is - is it illegal? Will the police go after them? Will there be an extradition order? The police have already been to see my friend and taken statements but she didn't get that information from them and what she is most worried about is that the baby will now DEFINITELY be placed under a Care Order and she will never see the baby again.
Does anyone know the answers to any of this please? They have no money so talking to solicitors themselves is too expensive :(