Two families bond over stolen Thai child

[webfact]

CRIME
Two families bond over stolen child
Jitima Janphrom
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- TWO FAMILIES at the centre of a baby-snatching case have agreed to forge ties for the best interests of the stolen girl.

"It's good that so many people love my great-granddaughter. She has united two families now," the girl's biological great-grandfather said at a press conference yesterday.

The girl was born at a hospital in Khon Kaen province, but two days later she was stolen by another woman, who then returned to her family in Chaiyaphum province claiming the baby was hers.

Her parents-in-law were delighted at getting a "granddaughter" and began showering the child with love and care.

However, when it was time to get the girl enrolled in school, her so-called mother could not produce a birth certificate, which led to the crime being exposed.

Officials then talked to both families in a bid to ensure as little as possible emotional impact on the four-year-old girl.

After talks between both sides, the biological relatives have agreed to let the girl live with her Chaiyaphum-based family until she develops solid ties with her blood relatives.

"We will travel there often so that she gets familiar with us," the girl's biological great-grandfather said.

A source added that the biological parents might allow the other family to legally adopt the girl so both families can help take care of her together.

The man who helped raise the child over the past four years said that, even though he had found out that she is not his real granddaughter, he still loved her.

"I think I love her even more now," he said with tears in his eyes.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Two-families-bond-over-stolen-child-30272609.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-10

[bangkokfrog]

An amazing compromise if it works. As is often the case here, it seems that most of the child rearing is being done by grandparents & great-grandparents. Congratulations to the two families for putting the girl's interests first. Hopefully though the "so-called" mother who stole the baby is punished appropriately if she is sane or gets help if mentally disturbed.

[SABloke]

Isn't child abduction a criminal and not a civil case so it doesn't matter what these families agree to? The people responsible for the abduction and their accomplices should still be prosecuted. And I'm not buying the fake grandpa's story that he didn't know...come on...your daughter comes back after not being pregnant and has a child

[zaphod reborn]

Isn't child abduction a criminal and not a civil case so it doesn't matter what these families agree to? The people responsible for the abduction and their accomplices should still be prosecuted. And I'm not buying the fake grandpa's story that he didn't know...come on...your daughter comes back after not being pregnant and has a child

Criminal cases can be settled by the police for payment of compensation and apologies. Most criminal cases are never sent to the prosecutor by the police, as payments to the police with some amount going to the victim resolve almost all civil and criminal claims.

[LukKrueng]

Isn't child abduction a criminal and not a civil case so it doesn't matter what these families agree to? The people responsible for the abduction and their accomplices should still be prosecuted. And I'm not buying the fake grandpa's story that he didn't know...come on...your daughter comes back after not being pregnant and has a child

In the original story it was said she was pregnant but had a miscarriage.

[SABloke]

Isn't child abduction a criminal and not a civil case so it doesn't matter what these families agree to? The people responsible for the abduction and their accomplices should still be prosecuted. And I'm not buying the fake grandpa's story that he didn't know...come on...your daughter comes back after not being pregnant and has a child

In the original story it was said she was pregnant but had a miscarriage.

It also says that the police interviewed the ''grandpa'' and the truth came out. So pops knew about the crime but didn't report it...makes him an accomplice in my books.

[GAZZPA]

What an amazing story. It would be easy to make the obvious statement that a crime was committed and perpetrators should be arrested and punished for child abduction (and something should be done for sure about this point). However you have to applaud the families for keeping cool heads and putting the little 4 year old girl first.

For all of them to come to agreement on this is pretty incredible, I am not sure i could hold in my anger and hatred if my daughter was stolen.

So, I see this as a great story and a testament to common sense and putting kids first..

[springheeled jack]

as long as the child is taken care of it doesn't really matter who takes care of it its a case of alls well that ends well.

[Artisi]

Isn't child abduction a criminal and not a civil case so it doesn't matter what these families agree to? The people responsible for the abduction and their accomplices should still be prosecuted. And I'm not buying the fake grandpa's story that he didn't know...come on...your daughter comes back after not being pregnant and has a child

In the original story it was said she was pregnant but had a miscarriage.

Yeah, but some people don't take the time to read the original post and join in mid-stream - hence the garbage that is very often posted.

[williamgeorgeallen]

as long as the child is taken care of it doesn't really matter who takes care of it its a case of alls well that ends well.

well I have to disagree with you there. theft of a child is a heinous crime and a message must be sent out that the perps need to be punished to the full extent of the law. a clear message must be sent out that this will not be accepted under any circumstances. there will be some difficulties for the child getting used to the new family but if setting an example makes just one person think twice about stealing another child then it is more than worth it.

[williamgeorgeallen]

as long as the child is taken care of it doesn't really matter who takes care of it its a case of alls well that ends well.

well I have to disagree with you there. theft of a child is a heinous crime and a message must be sent out that the perps need to be punished to the full extent of the law. a clear message must be sent out that this will not be accepted under any circumstances. there will be some difficulties for the child getting used to the new family but if setting an example makes just one person think twice about stealing another child then it is more than worth it.

I want to add that anyone attempting to steal either of my 2 infant children will be bonded with any blunt or sharp implement I can get my hands on.

[khoksung]

You cannot just nick a child and get off scott free the heart ache and grief this must of caused makes it one of the worst crimes a human can commit any one who has chilren must know this

[Jonathan Swift]

Isn't child abduction a criminal and not a civil case so it doesn't matter what these families agree to? The people responsible for the abduction and their accomplices should still be prosecuted. And I'm not buying the fake grandpa's story that he didn't know...come on...your daughter comes back after not being pregnant and has a child

Your legal question is best posed to a Thai lawyer, and if you don't wish to do so then your thoughts regarding this are pure speculation and your opinions uninformed. . In the US this would be a case for Department of Children and Families, regardless of the criminal element. The court can sanction anything it deems fit and appropriate as far as prosecution and punishment. I imagine that Thailand is doing something similar. You are not privy to the decision making process and you don't know what was said, nor are you in a position to know motives and character of the people involved. You fail to grasp that the fundamental concern is what is best for the little girl. Was she loved by these people? Perhaps putting the woman who has been the only mother the child has known for her entire life into jail is not the best thing to do to a 4 year old. Does the woman have a criminal history? It's not like the little girl was sold into slavery or worse. Was she in any way harmed or abused? There are no doubt other remedies if appropriate. In the US sometimes a form of court supervision is often ordered to assess the people and situation in the context of the child's welfare. My inclination, if I were a judge, would be supervised probation which would involve unannounced spot checks and visits to determine the emotional fitness of the woman and to observe her, and the extended family's interaction with the child. I think 5 years probation and conditional discharge once probation is completed, or perhaps a plea to a lesser charge. I would do just as was done here - allow contact by the biological relatives in a manner that would support and nurture the child. I hope you don't have any kids, you seem to lack sensitivity and understanding of the needs and and requirements for the emotional health and well being of children and the importance of family to a child, such that it may be.

[SABloke]

Isn't child abduction a criminal and not a civil case so it doesn't matter what these families agree to? The people responsible for the abduction and their accomplices should still be prosecuted. And I'm not buying the fake grandpa's story that he didn't know...come on...your daughter comes back after not being pregnant and has a child

In the original story it was said she was pregnant but had a miscarriage.

Yeah, but some people don't take the time to read the original post and join in mid-stream - hence the garbage that is very often posted.

I have read the original post and it says she had a miscarriage...it doesn't say WHEN...so for grandpa not to be aware of his daughter's miscarriage it would have been a very well timed 9month miscarriage don't you think??? Also the same reports state that grandfather KNEW the child wasn't his ALSO in Thai news it was stated that the family that abducted the girl were threatening to sue her biological mother for custody. Disgusting behaviour which may have led to this ''compromise''.

[jerome2]

Nothing about the 2 millions bath the mam offer from jail to keep the child? Ofer rejected inicialy by the bio family

[NickJ]

It's a bit strange that you can get your baby stolen and not want to ripp the head of the kidnapper......I say get rid of the false family and have zero contact. Some jail time for the kidnapper? You bet.

[oldsailor35]

Why are there so many evil persons who want retribution when it is none of their business, and both families and the child is happy with the arrangement.

[Nobb]

Happy to see both families are loving this child so mush. But what is going to happen to the baby kidnapper. Should say her name so she can go to jail and lose face in her village!

[trainman]

Why are there so many evil persons who want retribution when it is none of their business, and both families and the child is happy with the arrangement.

Both families are NOT happy with the deal.

Check the Bangkok Post's latest story, which paints a very different picture to the one in the Nation.

[Aussieroaming]

Anyway good luck to the girl

[Morakot]

Isn't child abduction a criminal and not a civil case so it doesn't matter what these families agree to? The people responsible for the abduction and their accomplices should still be prosecuted.

Criminal cases can be settled by the police for payment of compensation and apologies. Most criminal cases are never sent to the prosecutor by the police, as payments to the police with some amount going to the victim resolve almost all civil and criminal claims.

Yes, and public prosecutors have no power and cannot act until the police refers the case.

It's a fundamental problem for the Thai legal system and has been highlighted on many occasions by various parties, including the Lawyers Council of Thailand.

[Nemesis7]

Glad at least she is back to her biological mother.

[trainman]

Glad at least she is back to her biological mother.

She's not back with her biological mother; she's still with the kidnappers.

According to the Bangkok Post the biological mother is having to fight for sole custody. The kidnapping family appear very well connected; if I remember correctly from one of the first articles on this story, the kidnappers father-in-law is a tambon or provincial head or some such position of influence.

[williamgeorgeallen]

Isn't child abduction a criminal and not a civil case so it doesn't matter what these families agree to? The people responsible for the abduction and their accomplices should still be prosecuted. And I'm not buying the fake grandpa's story that he didn't know...come on...your daughter comes back after not being pregnant and has a child

Your legal question is best posed to a Thai lawyer, and if you don't wish to do so then your thoughts regarding this are pure speculation and your opinions uninformed. . In the US this would be a case for Department of Children and Families, regardless of the criminal element. The court can sanction anything it deems fit and appropriate as far as prosecution and punishment. I imagine that Thailand is doing something similar. You are not privy to the decision making process and you don't know what was said, nor are you in a position to know motives and character of the people involved. You fail to grasp that the fundamental concern is what is best for the little girl. Was she loved by these people? Perhaps putting the woman who has been the only mother the child has known for her entire life into jail is not the best thing to do to a 4 year old. Does the woman have a criminal history? It's not like the little girl was sold into slavery or worse. Was she in any way harmed or abused? There are no doubt other remedies if appropriate. In the US sometimes a form of court supervision is often ordered to assess the people and situation in the context of the child's welfare. My inclination, if I were a judge, would be supervised probation which would involve unannounced spot checks and visits to determine the emotional fitness of the woman and to observe her, and the extended family's interaction with the child. I think 5 years probation and conditional discharge once probation is completed, or perhaps a plea to a lesser charge. I would do just as was done here - allow contact by the biological relatives in a manner that would support and nurture the child. I hope you don't have any kids, you seem to lack sensitivity and understanding of the needs and and requirements for the emotional health and well being of children and the importance of family to a child, such that it may be.

they stole a child. they need to be locked up for a long time. seems pretty clear you have failed to grasp this simple fact. most important is seeing that every effort is made to stop this happening again.

[williamgeorgeallen]

Why are there so many evil persons who want retribution when it is none of their business, and both families and the child is happy with the arrangement.

evil people? the law has been broken and people need to be punished. this is how a society maintains order. if you were a parent I think especially in this case you would see that kidnapping is a horrible crime that must be deterred.

[johna]

The biological mother is anything but happy with this arrangement, claiming the kidnappers family are preventing her from bonding with the child and she is made to feel unwelcome in their home which is in a remote location.

The child belongs with her biological mother, not the kidnappers.