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International Parental Child Abduction > Prevention > Find Resources in Your State > Iowa International Parental Child Abduction Prevention Resources
A state clearinghouse is an entity (usually law enforcement) that provides help in cases of parental child abduction. For abductions TO the United States, they can help locate a child. For abductions FROM the United States, they may serve as a resource to left-behind parents in filing missing person reports.
Iowa Clearinghouse, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Missing Person Information Clearinghouse
Division of Criminal Investigation
215 E. 7th St
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (515) 725-6036
(800) 346-5507 (nationwide)
Fax: (515) 725-6035
E-mail: mpicinfo@dps.state.ia.us
Contact your local police to file a missing person's report and request that your child's name be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer database.
FBI Field Office
All inquiries should be directed to the FBI Field Office in Omaha, Nebraska
FBI Omaha
4411 South 121st Court
Omaha, Nebraska 68114-2000
Phone: (402) 493-8688
omaha.fbi.gov
State Patrol
Iowa State Patrol
Phone: (515) 725-6090
Email: spinfo@dps.state.ia.us
http://www.dps.state.ia.us/ISP/
Division of Criminal Investigation
http://www.dps.state.ia.us/DCI/
Dept. of Public Safety
Iowa Department of Public Safety
Phone: (515) 725-6182
http://www.dps.state.ia.us/
Port Authority
Mid-America Intermodal Authority Port District
Phone: (217) 222-3111
Fax: (217) 222-1113
http://www.maia-port.com/
Country-wide resources:
Removing, or attempting to remove, a child from the United States or retaining a child outside of the United States with the intent to obstruct parental rights is a Federal crime under the International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act (18 U.S.C. 1204). The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has jurisdictional authority for investigating Federal crimes. FBI field offices are located throughout the U.S. and should be contacted if you have questions or believe your child has been or will be abducted outside of the United States. To locate the FBI field office closest to you, access this link: http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field
If you know your child is being taken to the airport as part of a possible abduction, contact the airport to request assistance. You should have copies of all custody and legal documents ready to send by email or fax, if needed. You can contact the State Department’s Office of Children’s Issues to assist you as you undertake this process at PreventAbduction1@state.gov or by calling 888-407-4747.
Des Moines International Airport, Des Moines (DSM)
Lost & Found: (515) 256-5100
http://www.dsmairport.com/
City of Des Moines Police Department
Phone: (515) 283-4824
https://www.dsm.city/departments/police-division/index.php
If you are party to an international parental child abduction case in the United States or abroad, a legal aid organization may be able to assist you with your legal representation. Legal aid organizations provide legal assistance for free or for a reduced charge to eligible individuals. Eligibility is generally based on income and resource ceilings as well as restrictions on the types of cases they will take.
For information about legal aid and other legal referral resources, visit
Follow the prompts for the particular state in which you are seeking legal services.
Iowa Supreme Court
Phone: 515-281-5911
http://www.iowacourts.gov/About_the_Courts/Supreme_Court/
Judicial Branch Family Law Forms
https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/court-forms
The Iowa Legislature General Assembly
Legislative Information Office: (515) 281-5129
Email: lioinfo@legis.state.ia.us
http://www.legis.iowa.gov/index.aspx
The Iowa State Bar Association
Phone: (515) 243-3179
(800) 457-3729
Fax: (515) 243-2511
https://www.iowabar.org/
Iowa Office of the Attorney General
Phone: 515-281-5164
https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/
Compensation Program for Crime Victims
Crime Victim Assistance Division
Department of Justice
Lucas Building
321 East 12th Street, Room 018
Des Moines, IA 50319-9029
Phone: 515-281-5044
1-800-373-5044
https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-crime-victims
Non-Profit Organizations
Contact Association of Missing and Exploited Children’s Organizations (AMECO) toll-free at 1-877-263-2620 for a referral
The resources below may be a good starting place for determining whether statutes regarding abduction prevention exist in your state. You may want to consult the website for the Attorney General’s Office of your state or with an attorney licensed to practice law in your state. (Please note: the resources below may not be current and may change at any time. They are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended to consist of legal advice).
Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act (UCAPA) – Enactment by state