I am Jessica Mercado, a mother separated from my son for over a decade. Despite our marriage, my ex-husband took our child out of state without my consent or a custody order. I was threatened, abused, and even narrowly escaped a deadly assault. Sadly, the law protected him, not me or my child. Through this petition, I aim to prevent other families from experiencing the same trauma.

Florida, unfortunately, harbors a legal loophole that empowers a married parent to relocate or even hide a child without a custody order in place. This oversight effectively encourages parental child snatching, emotional maltreatment, and lasting psychological damage. My personal experience is more than enough proof of the harm caused by this legal blind spot. However, it's worth noting that the U.S Department of Justice reports about 200,000 instances of family child abductions occur each year, underscoring the urgency of this matter. 

As a state, we need to amend our laws and protect our children and their custodial parents. It's time for the Florida State Legislature to act. Our children's safety and well-being should always take precedence above all. The legal system must protect the rights of all parents, married or not, and outlaw any form of parental child abduction.

Sign this petition. Help me close this dangerous loophole and safeguard our children from emotional pain and trauma inflicted by such legal failings.