The mother of a Crofton boy abducted by his father said she fears for her son?s safety and made a public plea for help in finding him.
“Given the company he?s with, I think he?s in danger,” said Cheryl Jackson, of Crofton, who has not seen her son Colin Jackson, 6, since he was abducted by her ex-husband four weeks ago.
Any information “might just be the tip that brings Colin home,” she said Monday at the House of Delegates in Annapolis.
David Jackson abducted Colin on Aug. 28 after the boy?s first day of first grade. Colin was going to his noncustodial father?s house for a visit, but David vacated his house and took Colin with him, according to Anne Arundel police.
“Mr. Jackson not only left Ms. Jackson grieving with a broken heart, but his actions were illegal,” said Sgt. Sara Schriver, police spokeswoman.
Police issued a warrant for the arrest of David Jackson and are searching surrounding states as well. Initially, police thought he fled to Tennessee with Colin, but they now say that was just speculation, Schriver said.
Cheryl Jackson said her ex-husband was “very upset with the legal system” following their custody trial in 2004. She was awarded sole custody of their son and David was granted visitation.
“He doesn?t feel like he got his fair share of time with Colin,” she said.
Del. James King, R-Anne Arundel, is working with Cheryl and said he supports tougher parental abduction penalties.
Parental abduction carries a 30-day jail sentence and a $500 fine if the child is not taken out of the state.
If the child is taken out of the state for more than 30 days, the abductor could serve one year in prison.
Colin and his father have a good relationship and enjoy riding their bikes together and spending time outdoors, Cheryl said.
YOU CAN HELP
A reward fund has been created with Metro Crime Stoppers for anyone with information. Donations to the fund can be made by calling 866-7LOCKUP.
