The Child Abduction Unit of the Kern County District Attorney's Office assists in the enforcement of court orders awarding child custody, including custody orders issued by courts in other California counties, states and foreign countries.

In order to determine whether the Child Abduction Unit can be of assistance to you, a preliminary interview is necessary. You may call 868-2340 and ask to speak with an investigator about your case, or to make an appointment for an in-person interview. You may also come to our office located at:

District Attorney's Office
Child Abduction Unit
1215 Truxtun Avenue, 4th floor
Bakersfield, California 93301

Please bring a copy of your current custody orders when you come to the office. If the Child Abduction Unit can be of assistance to you, you will then be asked to complete a detailed questionnaire.

Victims of domestic violence often leave the home and take the children with them. California Penal Code §278.7 requires that a victim of domestic violence who leaves with the children notify the District Attorney's office, within 10 days of leaving home, of the whereabouts of the children, including name, current address, telephone number and reasons for taking the child. This law also requires that an action for court ordered custody must be filed within 30 days of leaving the alleged abusive parent. Failure to do so may result in the victim parent being charged with child concealment.

You may obtain a form for reporting this information:

Online

• Good Cause Form (PDF)
• Forma de Buena Causa (PDF)

In person from our office:

District Attorney's Office
Child Abduction Unit
1215 Truxtun Avenue, 4th floor
Bakersfield, California 93301

In person from:

Alliance Against Family Violence
1921 19th Street
Bakersfield, California, 93303