This Small report is intended to encourage all parents who have or had to experience a child kidnapping through a family member.

On 6.8.2005 I have unsuccessfully tried to meet and pick-up my than 4 ½ year old daughter Romy at her mothers apartment as I do usually every Friday. A custody order by the family court was expected on the 6.19.05 but I quickly realized that Romy and her mother have left for the US. The mother had to expect that she would lose the shared custody as a result of the family physiological report and profile and I would be given sole custody of our daughter.

I immediately filed for the return of my daughter under the Hague convention Although I am an attorney my self I quickly realized that I will require additional help in this matter to locate my missing daughter since I did to know of her exact where about. As I was able to get her new address near the Atlanta, GA area the law enforcement agencies did not act quickly and thoroughly so that it was possible for the mother and Romy to disappear again. As a result I had to start my search again and during the next few months the hope to return my daughter became ever so faint. I did not believe that any additional efforts were made by any agency to help me in my search.

Through the Internet I found the committee for missing children and learned about their work in cases like mine. As soon as I made contact with the committee things started to move along again. David Thelen arranged for Thomas Lauth a private investigator specialised in the search for missing children to help me. Ms. Lops made contact to individuals that were able to financially assist me to pay for the work of the detective. It was within a few days that Thomas Lauth located my daughter in Phoenix, AZ and then things progressed extremely quickly. The Federal Court in Phoenix, AZ ordered upon my arrival (9.22.06) that Romy should be given into my custody immediately. On the 26 of September, only two working days after my arrival and 15 moth of no contact, I was able to finally take my missing daughter in to my arms again. Within 11 days all court procedures were done in the United States. The court has found strong words for the misconduct of the mother and honoured the treaty unconditionally. Romy and I returned to Germany on the 5 of October thanks to David Thelen who arranged for flight tickets within 2 hours on the day of departure. David assisted me with valuable information and suggestions during the entire court proceedings.

The professional assistance of the committee for missing children was greatly responsible for the successful return of my daughter Romy after 15 month of search.

All my thanks and appreciation goes to David Thelen and Christiane Lops. I wish all parents in such a situation to find the strength and patience to go through this difficult time. I can only recommend not to depend solely on governmental organizations.

Christian Bleier