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International Parental Child Abduction > Prevention > Find Resources in Your State > Massachusetts 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.
Massachusetts Missing Children’s Clearinghouse
Commonwealth Fusion Center
124 Acton Street
Maynard, MA 01754
Phone: (978) 451-3728
1-800-622-5999 (in-state only)
Email: MMCC@pol.state.ma.us
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/law-enforce-and-cj/law-enforce/missing-and-wanted/mmcc/
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
FBI Boston
Suite 600
One Center Plaza
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 742-5533
http://www.fbi.gov/boston/
State Patrol
Massachusetts State Police
Phone: (508) 820-2300
Fax: (617) 727-6874 or (508) 879-6941
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/msp/#.UolpMfnHSZ4
Department of Public Safety
Massachusetts Department of Public Safety
Phone: (617) 727-3200
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/dps/
Department of Transportation
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Phone: (857) 368-4636
1- 877-MA-DOT-GOV (877-623-6846)
Fax: (857) 368-0601
(TTY) 857-368-0655
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-transportation
Port Authorities
Massport
Phone: 1-800-23-LOGAN (56426)
TTY is available by calling 1-800-262-3335
https://www.massport.com
Massachusetts Airport Management Association
http://www.massairports.com/
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Association
http://www.mbta.com/
Transit Police Department
Phone: (617) 222-1000
Emergency phone: (617) 222-1212
Office of the Chief: (617) 222-1100
TTY: 617-222-1200
http://www.mbta.com/transitpolice/contact_us/
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.
Logan International Airport
Phone: 1-800-23-LOGAN (56426)
Emergency Number: (617)568-7300
www.massport.com
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.
MassLegal Services-Family Law Practice Area
http://www.masslegalservices.org/node/200
General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
http://www.mass.gov/legis/
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Phone: (617) 557-1000
http://www.mass.gov/courts/sjc/
Massachusetts Bar Association
Phone: (617) 338-0500
http://www.massbar.org/
Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
http://www.mass.gov/ago/
Locator Service
Child Support Enforcement Division
Massachusetts Department of Revenue
Phone: 1-800-332-2733 or local (617) 660-1234
http://www.mass.gov/dor/child-support/
Compensation Program For Crime Victims
Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance
1 Ashburton Place, Suite 1101,
Boston MA 02108
Phone: (617) 586-1340
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-office-for-victim-assistance
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