Thank you for taking the time to visit the official website of Chasing The Cyclone. This site is based upon my novel titled CHASING THE CYCLONE and  the now completed documentary on international parental child abduction titled CHASING PARENTS: Chasing Into The Storms of International Parental Child Abduction.

Recently, there have been false allegations by a few individuals who made wrongful claims that my child was not abducted and that I stated I was a left behind parent in order to promote the upcoming book that will be released. These same individuals have also claimed that I have been advocating for laws on child abduction in order to promote my upcoming book. Their statements are not accurate. If that was the case, I would have published Chasing The Cyclone in the early Spring, as oppossed to purposefully delaying it until the Summer, which is what I did in order to not have that stigma attached to all of my work dedicted to raise awareness of this issue. The fact is that unfortunately my child was abducted, and the international courts did order for his return, where I had sole custody of his welfare. I have provided a recent copy issued by the US Department of State in support of this on this website (click here) as well as a copy of a letter from the Canadian Central Authority, whic also confirms that my child was abducted and a return Order was granted under the rules of the Hague Convention (click here). Unquestionably, my child's case was very complex because it dealt with several countries and there was one violation after another of court orders that I had to deal with at every turn.

I also want to point out that this website and all of the resources provided on it provides for one of the most comprehenisve websites on IPCA on the Internet. Most importantly, let me make this clear: I know first-hand what it is like to experience having a child abducted across international borders and to fight a very difficult and complex legal case in order to protect a child. I am aware of the challanges all children and their parents face as well as the need to reform existing laws dealing with child abduction, and have done my best to increase awarness of child abduction and advocate for laws that will protect our nation's children. 

In addition, during the time leading up and during my child's abduction, I was not immune to false allegations and slander that nearly every left behind parent faces. As the act of international parental child abduction is a premeditated act well planned in advance of the act itself, the defamation against my character was purposefully initiated in preparation for the abduction that would take place. And then of course, during the the long and drawn-out proceedings that occurred I was further slandered all in the name of having the abducting party attempt to sanction their behavior. Tragically, it is a common event for a left behind parent to be slandered.  Nevertheless, I am here to say that IPCA is a nightmare for all parties involved, and it is critical that all chld abductions are prevented.

Now, with respect to my activism in Florida to assist raise awareness of the issues of international parental child abduction, I am very proud of the fact that this splendid law that Carolyn Vlk wrote and Representative Rouson sponsored was passed unanimously by all Senate and House committees, was unanimously passed on both the Senate and House floor votes, and then signed by Governor Crist. The fact that this bill was unanimously passed represents the knew understandings that policymakers are beginning to have. Without question, it is only through awareness and education that the children of our nation will have laws such as the Child Abduction Prevention Act passed. Personally, this was a very important law since I know that if laws such as this were in place before I began to chase into the cyclones of international child abduction, then the chicanary that occurred before the courts - which was realized, but a bit too late - would never have occurred. So I know just how important child abduction prevention laws are. I hope in the future other left-behind parents who live in states where potential new child abduction laws are being created will decide to step forward more actively and support these new legislations by advocating in their state capitols. When Carolyn Ann Vlk initially contacted me via email about the Florida legislation and after discussing with Carolyn how there was little awareness of the bill. So I felt it necessary to assist her best I could, and this included not only flying in from Los Angeles to spend a day in Tallahassee, but I also arranged for the airline ticket for another person to attend one of the hearings when I was unable to. On this note, I would like to thank my many friends from around the country and asked them to contact the state's various legislators. You did - and it did make a hugh difference. Thank you.

In addition, I invite you to look around this website. Here you will find one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date websites on international parental child abduction. And though this site is titled after the upcoming book, it really is a metaphor for all left-behind parents who must race into the storms of child abduction. Staying true to this issue, the vast majority of the information presented here deals with real issues while trying to offer some sound advice and resources for those who may need access to them.

International Parental Child Abduction is a worldwide pandemic. According to the United States Department of State, this type of crime against our children is growing at nearly 20% per year. The estimated number of cross-border abductions that have occurred in 2008 are estimated to be anywhere between 11,000 and 16,000. If we do not put a stop to this act, by the year 2010 we will have over 70,000 criminally abducted children abducted THAT YEAR stolen overseas.

Consider that in 2003 there were 2.7 million U.S. children born to an illegal alien. In 2008 the number increased to over 4 million. In addition, 1 out of every 15 elementary or secondary school children have at least 1 illegal alien parent. 

The fact is simple: international parental child abduction knows no border or boundary. Children are stolen and never return. All one needs to do is consider that in over 50 years, Japan, one of our nation's strongest allies has never returned a U.S. child citizen stolen to their country. Today, it is estimated there are over 230 U.S. children citizens illegally detained in Japan. 

It is my intent to educate and share with the world the grave difficulties and challenges that all parents and victimized children must attempt to endure in the face of international child abduction. Equally, it was also my intent to provide a resource guide and a blueprint, if you will, that may be  useful to other Chasing Parents who will come after me, or who, perhaps came before me, but who are still chasing after their stolen child - on strategies and techniques that may be helpful in safely recovering and re-entering society with their abducted child. And finally, I am actively involved in passing various child abduction prevention laws in our nation.

In order to raise awareness, I have created the following tools:

1: 'Chasing The Cyclone' - BOOK.

2: 'Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction' - FILM

3. Chasing The Cyclone - WEBSITE

I had two purposes in creating this website. The first is to provide a source of information for all citizens concerning the growing epidemic that is international child abduction, and, in my own way, offer some real and viable solutions that will curtail the cruelty that is directed at abducted children. This includes the numerous essays I have written as well as the educational film segments available for preview of 'Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction'.  The second purpose is to share with my reader audience with an entertaining story about a parent's love for his child.

I am in fact what is known as a ‘Chasing Parent'. I never considered myself a 'Left Behind Parent' because I believe the term in itself does not embody the empowerment of love that I hold for my own child - and my willingness to act swiftly and immediately no matter what else I was involved with at that time in my life. I did not stay behind - I moved forward - I Chased. And so, I was a 'Chasing Parent' willing and able to act. And so I did.

My and my child's situation involved several nations, including Canada, who acted as the petitioning Central Authority on my and my child's behalf in conjunction with The United States Department of State's Office Of Children's Issues.

At that moment that I realized my child was abducted, I found myself dropped into a terrifying and bottomless abyss. To say it was a living nightmare is a huge understatement. It was a  pure unadulterated hell; feelings of fear for my child’s safety, being overwhelmed with a sense of hopelessness and despair, having no clue as to what to do or where to go or how to get him back. My emotions and perceptions were similar to most Chasing Parents who are left behind.

Soon thereafter, and without warning, I found myself traveling across the globe, at times fighting the legal systems in several countries, and at other times dealing with nations whose governments did not demonstrate a concern for internationally abducted children; essentially doing whatever I could in my quest to find and rescue my child.

Sadly, too many abducted children are never found or returned. And what is not spoken about is that there have been too high of a number of murders related to international child abduction. But make no mistake, Chasing Parents left behind . . . they hear the whispers, they know the stories.

I am thrilled to say that my efforts and that of the incredible team I was able to gather together were successful. But now, as a result of my efforts, I watch my gentle child each day treasuring every joyful, happy, and loving moment with the knowledge of knowing without the shadow of a doubt how deep my love is and how far I am willing to go to ensure my child's safety. 

It took considerable time, the financial costs were astronomical, and the constant fear and worry was near-crippling. There were hundreds of unexpected obstacles and dead-ends. This included the fact that I, like every other Chasing Parent, was going about their life, their work, and their commitments prior to my child's abduction. In my case, I was working diligently on a feature film and a television series I had invested significant time and financial resources in. Then my son was abducted and placed in a very dangerous situation. So I dropped everything that I was doing in order to protect my defenseless child. I did not bring attention to my son's situation due to grave concerns for his physical safety. I gave little explanation to others; I only shared the details of unfolding events with my closest of friends. In essence, I ran after my child. In doing so I embarked upon a journey I, like others who have faced international child abduction, could never have imagined. And this ... the road traveled on ... is in many ways, Chasing The Cyclone. 

However, Chasing The Cyclone is much more than our story: in many ways it is the story of all Chasing Parents and their abducted children. It is a fast-paced, gripping, page-turning journey into the world of child abduction and what can go wrong when an abducting parent becomes a fugitive. It is about the limitations and shortcomings of international law and the courts that oversee such matters, and, what needs to be done to protect our children in this global society with respect to abduction.

But above all, Chasing The Cyclone is the story of a young boy and his unassailable belief in his father.

Certainly, I wish I had never had the experience that enabled me to write it. Yet out of this nightmare, like many people who have gone through a horrifying ordeal, I have gained an invaluable perspective and understanding.

Clearly, there is a great deal to be done about the issues around the international abduction of children. In fact, I provide a substantial and important resource guide for parents and organizations who face child abduction in the back of Chasing The Cyclone. Some of this information is listed on this website, and included in the documentary CHASING PARENTS: Chasing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction.

I am unquestionably dedicated to bringing awareness to this issue, and contributing to the dialog on how we can protect our children in a constantly expanding global society.  

Of course, one of the ways that I hope I may accomplish part of this goal was to produce and narrate the documentary I worked so hard to complete. From all things gathered, CHASING PARENTS: Chasing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction is a very unique documentary in that the approximately two-hour long film covers nearly every component of this serious crime against our children, and is in fact a highly useful resource guide for all individuals interested in child abduction. There are seven segments to the film. They are as follows:

Part I - Introduction
Part II - Warning Signs of International Parental Child Abduction
Part III - Abduction In Progress - What To Do
Part IV - Parental Alienation and Parental Child Abduction
Part V - Post Abduction Reunification
Part VI - Reform and Change
Part VII - Laws and Credits

It is important for me to acknowledge that so much of the material and information I share in the film was contributed by the scores of Chasing Parents who are also uniquely committed to the causes of raising public awareness, helping others who chase, and reforming the governing laws created to protect our children.

And to each of you who shared your insights and perspectives so willingly, I thank you deeply and graciously for all of your help.

One odd fact most individuals are not aware of is that a Chasing Parent left behind in the wake of the criminal offense of international parental child abduction essentially does not receive any financial government assistance in the recovery of their child. For most parents, the unbearable financial burden is beyond devastating: many Chasing Parents lose everything they own in their attempt to find and reunite with their child. Sadly, the amount of money needed is vast – and most folks simply don’t have the financial resources necessary to fight the fight. Oddly, the United States is one of the few countries that does not provide financial assistance to a Chasing Parent involved in the international battle of recovering and reuniting with their child. This policy must end immediately.

One other major challenge that I, similar to other Chasing Parents, faced while attempting to rescue my own child was his abducting parent's use of slander on the Internet that with certainty she, her lawyers, and those she was in association with placed in order to wage a defense under Article 13 section b of the Hague Convention. Article 13 is essentially the legal mantra of defense for an abducting parent. The cusp of the defense is that it would not be in the child's best interest to be returned even though the petitioning parent has a right of custody (in my case, I had sole full custody). 

I know that I am not alone, and it is quite common, that an abducting parent will do everything possible to defame another parent while they continue the act of kidnapping. In essence, due to their horrific act against the child, and potentially facing severe criminal charges, abducting parents will attempt to create a public defense by falsely defaming and slandering the other parent, usually on blog forums. Typically on these forums, a person can make untruthful statements without sharing their real identity. They can also have conversations with themselves by posting responding statements. Thus, creating the false impression about the other parent due to their need to defend against their own act of kidnapping.

I was not immune to being slandered and defamed.

In my case, several blogs were posted. Ironically, the vast majority came out of New Zealand - which was exactly where my son was abducted! Irony? Absolutely not!  

This was a pre-meditated, systematic attempt to defend the actions of my child's kidnapping. I know I am not alone in having to defend myself against defamation and slander made either openly or concealed by an abducting parent and that person's associations. I also know how fortunate I am in knowing that I had great success in having the Hague Courts rule in my favor. Fortunately, they were able to see through the charade and measured the authority-produced evidence that I presented in court with respect to defamation and slander. Frankly, it was not easy to accept having your name tossed around. In cases where I was able to file suit, I did, and was successful on my course of action. Unfortunately, slander is all part of the cruel course when an international abduction occurs.  This is all shared in 'Chasing The Cyclone'.

Unfortunately, there still exists several websites that have allowed defamatory statements made against me to still remain up despite requests to have them removed.  I have initiated legal action against these websites. And sadly, these untrue statements were made in order to slander my name. One in particular that stands out is by a mixed-up young woman who auditioned for us during the time we were casting for one of the shows I was involved with. This individual states I promised to cast her in the show, invited her to Paris, and then told her my son was abducted to Europe, etc. Her statements attempt to give the notion that I also had a romantic interest. They are completely untruthful. And anyone who knows me knows that I do not like Paris, that I have never mixed work with my personal life, and my son was not taken to Europe, etc.   She is an opportunist who has severe dillusional problems. In addition, there is one individual who has made claims that my child was never abducted, along with a host of other false claims. This person has been deported from the United States. So, in the event that you do read something that does not make sense, please contact me and ask me about it. . At the end of the day, I have my son safely home with me. And that speaks volumes.

Chasing The Cyclone is a story that covers the great difficulties and challenges victimized children and their Chasing Parent face when a child is kidnapped. In reading this story, I think you will be quick to realize that this story is about a series of promises. A promise made to a dying friend, a promise made to an innocent child, and a series of promises made from a group of special friends to a man who chased into the storms of international child abduction. 

I hope you enjoy reading Chasing The Cyclone.

And please try to understand that international parental child abduction is a growing world-wide epidemic. In CHASING PARENTS: Chasing Into The Storms Of International Parental Child Abduction, 

I have attempted to create the most accurate, honest, and informative film on a horrific crime that occurs against tens of thousands of children each year. Many of which . . .  are lost forever.

I would like to add that the vast majority of Chasing Parents never expected to run into the dark storms of international parental child abduction. So if you can support any legislation that tries to prevent abduction, please do so.

Lastly, I write under my first and last name, Peter Senese, and my first and middle name,Peter Thomas. However, in each published book that I have written under Peter Thomas, I include on the jacket cover that I am Peter Thomas Senese.  I would like to invite you to visit my official website, www.petersenese.com. Here, you will be able to read more on my published books, projects that I am currently working on... and some perspective on my life. So please do stop by.

My kind regards,

Peter Thomas Senese