Foul: When a parent violates a visitation agreement

It can be frustrating and upsetting when a parent violates the terms of a child support or child custody arrangement. From payment schedules to visitation hours, the guidelines of these agreements must be followed or a parent can face serious consequences. A California parent who violates a visitation agreement can face contempt charges among other penalties.

In the midst of the NBA Finals games, Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade has had to deal with his ex-wife’s violations of their visitation arrangement. The star is the father of two boys and is one of the few male professional athletes who have been awarded custody of his children. After a recent visit with her children, though, Wade’s ex-wife failed to return the children.

His sister was to pick up the children from the mother’s house and then take them to Miami so they could spend Father’s Day with Wade. However, when the sister went to pick up the children, there was no response at the house. After several hours, the sister called the police and was finally able to get the boys who were then flown to Miami to be with their father. The mother was charged with attempted child abduction, resisting arrest and unlawful visitation interference.

Wade has asked that the mother’s visitation rights be suspended after the violation. Not only is it troubling for a parent when the other refuses to cooperate with agreements, but it can be frightening for a child as well. Courts and law enforcement officials can get involved in these situations because of the danger that a child may be in.

Source: Yahoo! Sports, “Wade dealing with custody issue during Finals,” Tim Reynolds, June 19, 2012