Hi everyone,
I’m writing here because I honestly don’t know where else to turn. Maybe someone has been through something similar in England.
My son’s father hasn’t returned him home for more than a week after contact. My son hasn’t been going to school this whole time, and his father won’t let me speak to him. At first he said there was supposedly some kind of “investigation” against me, which is why our son has to stay with him.
I immediately called the police and social services, but neither could find anything. The police said that if anyone had made a report and they decided to investigate, they would contact me — but nobody has contacted me.
The school is also very worried now because my son has been missing school without any authorised reason. They’ve made a referral to the Front Door (social services), but there has been no response so far.
I have a Child Arrangements Order that clearly states my son lives with me, and I’ve already filed a C79 (enforcement / return order) asking the court to order his return. But the court is moving very slowly, and the case is still “with the legal adviser for review.”
I feel completely desperate… it’s been over a week now, and I still don’t know where my child is or how he is doing. The police say it’s a “civil matter,” the school is waiting for social services, and social services are silent.
Has anyone here faced something like this?
How long did it take before your child was returned? What did you do that actually helped?
Any advice or experience would mean so much to me. 🙏