International Child Abduction - Part 1

And now, San Diego's number one news at six.

Hundreds of children are abducted by their own parents and taken to Mexico every year.

According to the U.S. State Department, those numbers are now rising. Officials say international child abduction cases grew from 300 in 2008, to 500 in 2010. Officials point to cultural, social and economic ties to Mexico, including immigration. A local attorney says the laws in two different countries makes things complicated. But when it comes to Mexico and the U.S., there is the Hague Convention Agreement.

That means that if a United States citizen child is abducted into Mexico, the Mexican authorities will help, and should help, in the recovery of the child in return to the United States.

Families are urged to file a police report immediately and to file a Hague petition in state or federal court. International child abduction is a federal offense. Violators can face up to four years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.