Forgot to say that this happened in Zurich.

Thanks Reka for those useful advice about social network. Since the whole Europe is in Schengen system, this person might have investigated where it is possible to board a plane without both parents consents, and might has driven the whole journey by road to such a place. Moreso, I learnt  that the man has the older kid's passport, while the younger one has no passport yet. They are only 5 and 3 years old.

What a nightmare for those two little kids.

Contact the federal authorities.

http://www.bsv.admin.ch/themen/kinder_jugend_alter/00066/index.html?lang=de

Anyone has opinion as to using the social network to look for the kids while the police are already working on the case? Would it iritate the police by expanding the search out of their own network?

The child protection department said it is the duty of the police to find missing people.

Bola

Well about the airline checking the permission of both parents is not true. this is not an airline requirement if this is needed, this is the country who is asking for it. for example portugal u need and official permission letter from both parents. The airline does not even check passports anymore when u get into a flight when it's in the schengen area. i just know that as i work already 14years for the airline in ticketsales and worked as well at the gates.

People, thanks a lot for the compassion and useful ideas.

The update to this saga is a sad one. It is now confirmed today that the man has successfully escaped out of Europe with the kids. As Reka mentioned, he surely did plan the kidnapping over a period of time. He did  his research well, and found the most unsecured border from where he escaped.

Whatever the cause of his action, I see no justification for encroaching on the rights of those young kids. They deserve the love of both of their parents.

Bola

I am sorry to hear this. I hope the kids are ok - safe. At that age I assume they are finding the turn of events anything but ok.

Or they love their dad and hate their mom and are having the time of their life.  We just don't know.

Indeed, we don't. Am just making assumptions based on their ages - 3 and 5 is young to be separated from your environment - and that father's visits were supervised. Don't envy the position of any parties - kids and both parents

that's so sad.....

indeed more and more often we hear about social media helping in those situations..... recently in brazil an alzeimer's sick sir was found and delivered back home 36hours after a facebook post.... that might help in that situation as well.....

i hope she find her kids.

@richardm: I am a father of three myself. My kids live in Finland and visit me here in Zurich as well as I still have a home there. In one of those occasions, my daughter, a "6 year" old did flew un-accomponied by herself last year to visit Daddy. No doubt about the children loving their parents. You should only understand the meaning of "controlled visit" when it comes to divorce or separation. I will leave the rest to the people (men & women alike) that have gone through such an experience.

A good Daddy do not have controlled visitation, not withstanding how bad things could have degenerated between the two partners. The interest of the kids always come first. That is my conviction of course.

Regards, Bola