Parental abduction and the push for reconciliation following a life-threatening illness: Two case studies

Life-threatening illness may prompt attempts at reconciliation, even when t here have been significant rifts between family members. Two case studies o f families where there has been a parental abduction of a child are used to illustrate some of the issues that may emerge when there have been serious rifts and an illness. These cases are taken from a larger longitudinal stu dy of families where one parent has kidnapped a child and gone into hiding for a significant Period of time. In the first case, it is the parent who r ecovered the missing child who is ill and seeking greater connection Betwee n her child and the parent who abducted. In the second case, the children w anted connection with the ill father who abducted them. In both cases it is Possible that such attempts at reconciliation may not have served the chil dren well. Implications for practitioners dealing with abduction or life-th reatening illnesses are included.