The thought of your children being abducted is the worst possible feeling any of us can imagine, but it’s even worse when their indefinite loss is at the hands of someone once considered trustworthy.
Ex-wife Carol Grinberg kidnapped Shimi, 13, and Tali, 11, fleeing from Israel to the United States. They have not been found to date, and the father, Jacob Maslow, is desperately reaching out through social media to ascertain their whereabouts.
The story of a father’s loss is always heartbreaking, but at least in the case of the Maslow kidnapping, there is a glimmer of hope. The rest of this article will dive into the history of the Maslow case, where it stands to date, and what you can do to help.
The Story
Jacob Maslow, father, and husband, continues his search for his two young children, Shimi and Tali, after his ex-wife Carol Grinberg Maslow fled with them during a contentious custody battle.
According to reports, Carol Grinberg Maslow fled with the children to America to avoid the inevitable custody arrangement that would afford their ex-husband Jacob Maslow more time with his children. Maslow recently rented a three-bedroom apartment near where the children lived to spend more time with them.
As the story goes, Carol found this court-ordered arrangement unacceptable and fled with her two children to the United States, where they were reported last seen in Midtown, Brooklyn.
A Father’s Loss
Devastated by the news of his ex-wife’s flight, Maslow has reiterated his commitment to finding his children and bringing them home. The children are missing out on their education and are living in uncertain conditions as victims of parental abduction.
He has invoked the letter of the law in the matter, calling upon the resolutions of the Hague Convention, a multinational treaty providing a framework for the recovery and return of abducted children, to restore his children to his care.
Under this convention, Israel and the United States must work together to provide recovery efforts for Maslow’s children and facilitate their safe return.
The illegality of Carol’s actions is clear, and in the case of shared custody, one parent does not exercise exclusive rights over their children.
Jacob did not offer consent or approval for the move and knew nothing of it, leaving him in an agitated state to wonder about the wellbeing of his kids.
A Difficult Divorce
Lost love between a couple can lead to divorce, but in the case of the Maslow family, Jacob argues that there were more complex factors at play.
Carol Grinberg exhibited narcissistic personality disorder symptoms, resulting in an exaggerated sense of self-importance and low self-esteem. Jacob attributes the difficulty of the divorce proceedings to his ex-wife’s narcissism, making it difficult for the two to communicate on even grounds.
In addition, Maslow believes that the abduction of his children by Carol Ginsburg Maslow was, at least in part, a reflection of her narcissistic tendencies.
Fleeing the Country
Upon realizing the probable outcome of the custody arrangement, Carol fled Israel, heading for the remote Poconos region of Pennsylvania. The children are believed to be in the Midwood section of Brooklyn in the United States. When his children went missing, Maslow reached out on Facebook, revealing the names of his children and attaching photos in the hopes that someone might recognize them and contact him.
From these social connections, Maslow raises awareness and advocates for their return.
An Unhappy Hannukah
The holidays are meant to be a time of great rejoicing and togetherness, but for Maslow, this year, Hannukah has been lonely.
Bereft of his children, Jacob has experienced great emotional distress and conflict. Based upon his former arrangement with his ex-wife Carol, Maslow expected to celebrate the first four days of Hannukah with his children. Still, Shimi and Tali’s sudden abduction has left him alone for the holidays.
What’s Next?
Parental abduction leaves a scar on the entire family, and in the case of the Maslow family, that wound is evidenced by Maslow’s emotionally distraught behavior. Efforts are ongoing to locate Maslow’s children, Shimi and Tali, to bring them home to Israel to continue their education and reunite with their father.
In cases of parental abduction, the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC) provides a legal framework for the return of abducted children. It aims to reunite families through the Amber Alert program.
To support Maslow’s ongoing efforts to find and return his children, individuals can continue to spread awareness to bring the issue into the public eye and broaden the scope of the search. No child should be the victim of abduction, and every one of us has a responsibility to help those in need wherever possible.
FAQs
What is parental abduction?
Parental abduction occurs when one parent takes their child without the other parent’s consent or approval, violating any custody agreements.
What is the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children?
The International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to combatting crimes against children, including parental abduction. They work with governments worldwide to provide a legal framework for the return of abducted children and reunite families through their Amber Alert program.
How can I help Jacob Maslow find his children?
You can help spread awareness of this issue by talking about it on your social media channels or signing up to volunteer with ICMEC or similar organizations to assist in family reunification efforts.
Reaching out to your local lawmakers and advocating for stronger laws against parental abduction may also help bring attention to this issue and promote solutions.
Tali and Shimi deserve the chance to be reunited with their father, so please do what you can to lend a helping hand.
Tips For Parents of Abducted Children
• Contact the police and file a missing person’s report.
• Reach out to your family, friends, and social connections for help in locating your child(ren).
• If applicable, contact foreign governments for assistance.
• Utilize any resources provided by international organizations such as ICMEC or UNICEF to assist in your search.
• Cooperate with the authorities but be aware that they may have limited legal authority outside their jurisdiction.
• Take time to care of yourself – parental abduction can lead to depression and other physical/mental health problems so ensure you are getting adequate rest and seeking professional counseling if necessary.
• Don’t give up – in some cases, children may be found and reunited with their parents months or even years after being abducted. There is always hope!
Sharing Custody with a Narcissistic Ex-Spouse
Custody battles between two parents can be difficult, but when one or both of the parents is narcissistic, the situation can become incredibly complicated. This can make it even more important to have a detailed parenting plan and custody agreement that outlines responsibilities for both parties.
When dealing with a narcissistic ex-spouse, you should expect him/her to:
• Ignore your requests or openly refuse them;
• Refuse to adhere to court orders related to visitation and custody arrangements;
• Attempt to undermine your authority in front of your children;
• Manipulate you into caving into unreasonable demands; and
• Unexpectedly show up at your home for visitation rights.
To protect yourself and your children, staying firm in the face of manipulation is vital. Document any attempts made by your ex-spouse to violate the court order and contact an attorney if necessary. It may also be beneficial to enlist the help of a therapist or counselor who can guide how best to manage the situation.
Overall, remember that you are not alone, and there are resources available to help you protect your children from a narcissistic ex-spouse. With patience, determination, and support from family and friends, you can ensure that your kids have a safe environment where they can grow and thrive no matter who their parents are.
Remember: Parental abduction should never be tolerated! If you witness or suspect a parent has abducted their child, contact the authorities immediately and do what you can to help reunite the family. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure our children are kept safe.
References
https://streetwisejournal.com/a-fathers-desperate-search-for-his-missing-children/
https://techbullion.com/social-media-unites-to-support-jacob-maslow-in-his-search-for-his-kids/
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Parental Abduction: A Cultural Perspective. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime – The Global Programme against Trafficking in Human Beings (UNODC-GPAT). https://www.unodc.org/documents/humantrafficking/Publications_and_manuals/HOMB_11_Abduction/HOMB_11b_Abduction2.pdf . Accessed February 22, 2021.
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National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Parental Abduction. https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/parentalabduction . Accessed February 22, 2021.
National Council for Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), Parental Abduction: A Guide to Implementation of the International Child Abduction Remedies Act (2013). https://ncjfcj.org/wp-content/uploads/pubs_documents/ParentalAbdImpICARAGuidBookMay2013_rev2_000WEB1.pdf . Accessed February 22, 2021.
U.S Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, International Parental Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (2018). https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/intercountry-adoption/preventing-child-abduction/ipca.html . Accessed February 22, 2021.
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966). https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/ccpr.aspx . Accessed February 22, 2021.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). https://www2.ohchr.org/_data/assets//files/006_CRC_English_web_ready_version_(1).pdf . Accessed February 22, 2021.
