TWST Executive Producer Michael Brackstone sits down with author Peter Thomas to discuss his upcoming novel about international child abduction titled ‘Chasing The Cyclone’ at the company’s offices in Burbank.
1. Chasing The Cyclone is a story of international child abduction and a father’s relentless efforts to find his abducted son across the globe after a sinister plot spins out of control. Why this story?
My decision to write this story was based upon my experience as a parent who was suddenly forced to race into the brutal storms that is international child abduction. The knowledge I gained from my experience certainly gives me an opportunity to provide much needed insight and perspective about the crippling challenges children-victims and Chasing Parents face in the wake of international parental child abduction. There is much that can and should be done to significantly reduce the number of abductions that occur each year. Hopefully, Chasing The Cyclone will raise awareness of these issues.
2. The term ‘Left Behind Parent’ is commonly used to define a parent victimized in the wake of parental child abduction; however, you use the phrase ‘Chasing Parent’ in this story. Why this term?
Philosophically, the term ‘Left Behind Parent’ implies a powerless parent, a – victim left behind in the wake of their child’s abduction. The term ‘Chasing Parent’ emphasizes the sense of urgency parents need in attempting to recover and reunite with their child. Now, I know that some parents go into shock and do little when parental child abduction occurs. They become overwhelmed with feelings of hopelessness, utter disbelief, and even a feeling that maybe they are not worthy of being a parent, that maybe the child is better off with the other parent – and become incapacitated. But others- they chase into the storms.
3. Was this story challenging for you to write?
It was one of the hardest things I ever did. It bought back many memories.
4. How much of this story was drawn from your own personal experiences?
All of it. Before I became a Chasing Parent, I did not know that international parental child abduction existed. But I also have spoken to other Chasing Parents, and I’m sure their stories impacted this story.
5. Obviously dealing with your child’s abduction was difficult. But outside of the search, what was the hardest thing that you encountered?
There are so many things I can point to. One thing that comes to my mind immediately is when I found out something was wrong, I was, you know, working on several projects I had invested a lot of money and time into. Then I find out what’s unfolding, and all of a sudden my concentration isn’t so much on my work, but on my son. At the beginning, I didn’t know what I was dealing with. Who does in scenarios like that? So I tried to keep my projects I was committed to alive until it became impossible to do since I needed to direct my resources to finding my son – including a great deal of time traveling. So, delaying the things I was working on was hard. And due to my son’s situation, it was critically important not to bring attention to what was occurring. In a certain sense, due to needs pertaining to his safety, one minute I’m active in my community, and the next minute I’m gone with little time or necessity to give an explanation. You know, if you take a look at the cover jacket of Chasing The Cyclone, you get the idea that you’re boxed-in and the only thing that you can see in front of you is a massive storm. Well, that’s it in a nutshell: one serious storm, and you are pulled toward it. How do you explain that? Its not so easy.
6. The press has reported a recent increase in international parental child abductions. Why is this occurring?
There are many reasons. We are living in a global society. Individuals from different nations travel, meet, fall in love, get married in a country other than where they were raised, have children, and then unfortunately, some then get divorced. On occasion, one of the marriage’s partners wants to return to their country of origin and they want to take the child or children of the marriage with them. However, since they and their child live in a country other than the parent’s country of origin – they simply cannot relocate unless a court consents to their move. In most cases, if the other parent objects to this relocation – which usually does occur since the child or children will be taken far away not only from the other parent, but also from the country and culture in which they grew up. The courts typically will not allow the parent seeking to relocate to move with the children. So, tragically, the parent who wants to leave will carefully plan and scheme to remove the child without the other parent even knowing. If they are successful in leaving and entering the intended destination country –the ‘receiving country’ under the terms of the Hague Convention - a parental abductor will do their best to never return, and will try to cut off all access and communication between the child and the other parent. They believe the other parent will then do the same and abduct the child.
And so begins a cruel and unjust cycle of parental alienation, which is a form of child abuse and neglect. Sadly, it is the children who suffer most in this process. They are uprooted from their normal environment, typically without warning, and separated from one of their loving parents. On top of that, the child or children are often told lies about the other parent by the abducting parent. This is how the abducting parent controls the child. These parents typically portray themselves as both victims of the other parent and protector of the child in an ‘Us vs. The Other Parent’ scenario. Moreover, to top it off, the abducting parent typically lives the life of a fugitive – because that is exactly what they are: a criminal fugitive who has kidnapped their own child or children.
Another real problem that has facilitated the number of international child abductions is based upon a limited working knowledge that the courts and lawyers have with respect to the nuances of international child custody law. Too many times, the courts have made major errors based on lack of knowledge and careful consideration. If things are going to change, and the number of abductions or wrongful retentions are to decrease it will come from an educated, thoughtful, and conservative court system.
The other reason why we see a reported awareness of international parental child abductions could be that more left behind parents are trying to do something about the illegal kidnapping of their child. There is a growing sense of trust in the Hague Convention of the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. The system created by The Hague works – now only if more nations would sign the international treaty, or, those that have, would enforce it, I think we would see a drastic reduction of child abductions.
7. In ‘Chasing The Cyclone’, the protagonist Paul Francesco initially seeks the assistance of the international courts via the Hague Convention to help get his son back. However, as the story moves along, he acts on his own and outside of The Hague Court. Why, and is this something government officials who have signed the international convention support?
In the case of the story’s main character, his initial action was to turn to the international courts; however, once the child disappears a second time, and into countries that are either non-enforcing signatories or not members of the international treaty on child abduction, he has very little choice other than to act and form a search and rescue team if he wants to protect his son. The fact is once a child is taken to a country that is not a member of the Hague Convention, it is extremely difficult to have them returned. And with countries such as China, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines – very few, if any children taken to them are ever returned via the courts. So with respect to whether anyone from a governmental agency would openly support a parent acting on their own when dealing with non-Hague signatory or non-complying Hague signatory countries, I am certain that most public statements would call for diplomacy, and I agree with this. However, privately, I also know that many of these very same persons would do anything and everything they could to protect the safety and life of their own abducted child – and that includes assembling a team of child rescuers familiar with these types of scenarios.
8. Does The United States government supply financial assistance in the legal and recovery costs associated with the criminal international parental abduction of a child?
Sadly, when Congress agreed to ratify The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction in 1980, members of the legislative branch inconceivably dictated that as part of the agreement they were entering into, the United States government would not provide financial assistance for Chasing Parents left behind to defend against the criminal abduction of their U.S. citizens across international borders despite The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act of 1968 and later, The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act of 1997. While in most other Hague-signatory member states the financial costs associated with a child’s recovery are paid for by the petitioning country seeking for the return of their child-citizen on behalf of the Chasing Parent, in the United States, which is involved with more Hague cases than any other nation in the world – the Chasing Parent must use their own money. Once it runs out – so too, does their chance of reuniting with their child. The lack of government financial support makes no sense.
Recently, every member of the Senate and the House of Representatives unanimously supported a Hague Convention referendum that dealt with international abduction of a child. Yet, still – no financial resources have been made available for any Chasing Parent. This policy must end. If the child was abducted by a non-parent, then full Federal and State resources would be made available to recover the child. All experts here in The United States, in Canada, and around the world say that international parental child abduction is a crime equal to if not greater than a non-parental child abduction. So, at the moment, the present rules do not make any sense. On top of that there is no group of lawyers waiting in the wings to do pro bono work.
It is important to note that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children does have reunification money available for a parent to fly to the country the child was abducted to and bring the child home if the international courts order the child to be returned. In order for a parent to receive these dollars - which are really minimal in comparison to the massive cost of recovery – the abduction of the child has to take place on U.S. soil, and, the Chasing Parent has to demonstrate they have no resources left to go and get their child. If these rules are met, The Department of Justice provides money to the National Center for the Chasing Parent to travel. All in all, it’s a terrible process. If your child is abducted from the United States, Chasing Parents can expect to lose everything, all assets they have worked their whole life for, and incur substantial debt that they may never be able to pay back in the process of trying to reunite with their child.
9. Where did you write this story?
There were several wonderful places that I wrote Chasing The Cyclone. A significant part of the story was written either in the study at my home or on the beach at Paradise Cove in Malibu. I also spent substantial time in the Great Reading Room and the Map Room in the main branch of The New York City Public Library. And there were a few days up at Columbia University. In addition, there were a two splendid days spent at the Brooklyn Historical Society. You know – even though I spend most of my time on the west coast – I still love and adore Brooklyn, but that’s a whole different topic. There were a few long, wonderful weekends spent in San Diego’s Balboa Park’s Sculpture Garden, and two days at the enchanting Pelican Inn in Muir Woods up in Northern California. I also had the privilege of writing some of this story in Rome: there were a few meaningful days inside the Vatican Library, a few days at the gardens at Hotel de Russie, and a magical day in a building only seen through an important keyhole. In total, it took four concentrated months. This story has significant meaning to me, so I decided to write it in the places that have great meaning to me.
10. Did you have any help writing this story?
I sure did: my son took an active role in either reading the story or having me read it to him. For the most part, when he suggested a change, I followed his instruction. So in truth, Chasing The Cyclone is written by both a father and son. And all the individuals I met and spoke to during the time I was out there – you know – I listened carefully to what they had to say. Surely they affected my perspective. And I can’t say enough about my friend and editor Katie W. Besides being an outstanding editor, Katie and I are good friends. She knew my own story, was dedicated to our friendship, and I trusted her. I found her insights to be most helpful, and I am certain they helped make Chasing The Cyclone a story that readers will really appreciate and enjoy.
11. Did you speak with other Chasing Parents left behind when preparing this story?
I started speaking with other members of this unique club once I experienced parental child abduction and was heavily involved with trying to locate my son. You know, other parents who have or are still searching for their children really are the best support system a Chasing Parent can turn to. So yes, , I spoke to a significant number of my fellow Chasing Parents when I began writing this story, and I asked each of them to comment on the final manuscript, which each of them did, with great insight.
12. How long did it take you to write this story?
Four months.
13. The story’s protagonist, Paul Francesco, faces extreme difficulties and hardship due to grave court errors, and a plot by the child’s mother to disappear with the child aided by lawyers scheming to defraud Francesco. As the story twists and turns across the globe, we find ourselves in the snake-pit of the world’s child skin-trade market. Where does fact meet fiction?
The trafficking of children in certain parts of the world, particularly in Asia, are not crimes, or if they are, they are not prosecuted. China is one of the main culprits. As for where fact meets fiction; I drew from my own experiences. Anyone who deals in that sick world should die a very painful death. Sadly… It exists – particularly over there (China).
14. When did you first learn of the term ‘international parental child abduction?”
International parental child abduction was a term that I was not formally aware of until I was forced to file legal motions of my own to address the specific wrongful retention and disappearance of my son due to acts orchestrated against him and me.
15. Why did you write this book?
I had initially wrestled heavily with whether to write this story. A part of me did not want to relive the nightmarish ordeal I faced as a Chasing Parent left behind in the wake of my son’s situation. Yet another part of me knew that perhaps through my unique experiences, this book could shed some much needed light on the travesty that is parental child abduction. And I am committed to helping other Chasing Parents and their children in any way I can. So, I decided to write the book with the hope that the story I share will raise the level of consciousness with respect to this issue, and help in preventing the criminal abduction of other children in the future. So, from the eyes of a Chasing Parent’s experiences in dealing with both Hague and Non-Hague countries, along with some other unusual situations, I knew I was in a very unique experience to offer insight into this subject. I can now only hope that from this chaotic and painful ordeal comes great insight and understanding. I hope that through my words and my actions, I can make a positive difference.
16. Why the title ‘Chasing The Cyclone’?
For any parent left behind in the wake of their child being abducted, the unexpected and cataclysmic storms that enter their life are unbearable. Notice I said ‘storms’ – because there are usually more than one coming right at you at once. It’s a perspective shared by many of the other parents who experienced abduction that I have spoken with. So, if a left behind parent wants to protect their child, they must chase into the chaos, and into the darkest, fiercest of storms – knowing that as they do, they’re about to get pummeled. With respect to this story and the experiences I drew upon, much occurs on the other side of the world – where great storms are commonly called Cyclones. Paul Francesco, the story’s main character, surely chases and follows the path of destruction initiated by the storms created by his child’s abduction.
17. How severe were the storms you faced?
Read the book – but I will tell you this: I wish my experience on no one. And I am sure that most Chasing Parents feel the same way. If it wasn’t for the deep love I have for my son, and the amazing friends who journeyed with me during that time – I’m sure I would have never seen my son again. And, I have had my fair share of conversations with God before this happened, but you know, I really felt that He was with me, and I would accomplish what I set out to do.
18. Do you have anything you would like to share?
The issues of international parental child abduction must be taken more seriously. Fortunately, and sadly, society is now becoming more familiar with the severity and danger the criminal taking of a child has on the innocent child-victim. Unfortunately, there still exists a deep lack of social understanding, which may be best exemplified by these types of comments a Chasing Parent may hear:
• This is not kidnapping; it’s just a child custody case; and,
• The child is not in any type of danger since he or she is with one of their parents; and,
• The parent wouldn’t do anything to hurt the child; and,
• There must be a reason that the mother or father abducted the child; and,
• The issue must not be too severe if the U.S. government does not help the parent try and find their child and pay for the costs they incur; and,
• How could a parent take their child if the judge told them they are not allowed to. It does not make sense. Something’s not right; and,
• The child does not get abused and is not put in any danger; and,
• If a parent abducted their child, and it’s a crime, the United States has criminal extradition agreements with most other countries. So, if this actually occurred, why doesn’t the government have the abducting parent arrested in the other country? After all, they would do that if the child was abducted by a stranger, right; and
• There are no long-term side effects on the child.
I cannot say this any clearer: the abducted, kidnapped child is in severe danger, and sadly, there is often serious short-term and long-term emotional damage to the child. A parent who abducts their child does not have that child’s best interest at heart. Instead, they use the child as a pawn in some type of manipulative and vengeful scheme. To put it in very direct terms, a parent that abducts their child is not mentally stable, and presents a great risk to both their own as well as the child’s physical and mental safety.
19. What’s your next book?
I will be releasing The Production in hardcover this coming October. In the meantime, I have another major focus – and it’s what I had put into motion and heavily invested in before I raced into the storms. And if things occur the way I anticipate, we’re going to have a lot more people reading books and thinking that reading and writing are cool. This is a very exciting time.
20. Are You Happy?
My son is home, projects that I was working on before I raced into the storms are moving back on track, physically I am in real good health, and I have some really special, wonderful friendships. So yes, I am indeed very happy.