April 22, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Child Abduction Case in Venice Raises Important Legal Issues

From the Law Offices of Arash Hashemi.

On the morning of Wednesday, April 26, 2017, Nishia Burnett-Hayer abducted her 6-year-old son from his elementary school in Venice, California. Burnett- Hayer, who does not have legal custody of her son, was arrested later that night when she fled from her car (son in her arms) into a nearby Harley Davidson store. Her son, West Burnett, who was last seen at Cour D’ Alene Avenue Elementary School, was abducted at approximately 8:35 AM. An Amber Alert was issued for West, who authorities report was taken from school in his mother’s gold BMW 530i.

Kids playing at school. Thinkstock.

Child abduction (PC 278) is defined as wrongfully removing, retaining, detaining, or concealing a child from his or her legal guardian. A child can be abducted by use of persuasion, fraud, or open force or violence. Although abduction by a stranger does happen, abduction by a parent is more common. Usually, parents that abduct children are acting in defiance against a court order that limits (or eliminated) their custody over their child. Child abductiom is considered a crime against the parent, not the child. To convict someone of this crime, the prosecutor must prove these elements of the crime:

One maliciously took, enticed away, kept, withheld, or concealed a child.

One did not have a right of custody over the child.

One specifically intended to conceal or detain the child from his/her lawful custodian (a person who has the right to custody over a child).

When a person acts maliciously, they purposefully intended to commit a wrongful act. Detaining a child qualifies as stopping the child from returning to his or her legal guardian. Keep in mind, there are significant differences between child abduction and kidnapping. Kidnapping is when a person moves another individual a substantial distance without that person’s consent and force and or fear was used. On the other hand, the offense of child abduction requires an intent to conceal or detain a child from his/her legal guardian. Also, kidnapping is broader. As a result, a person can be convicted of kidnapping if there was any illegal intent involved.

The main difference between the two is that kidnapping is charged as a crime against the person being kidnapped, whereas child abduction is counted as crime against the legal guardian. PC 278 is a wobbler in California, which means prosecutors may charge someone like Burnett- Hayer with either a misdemeanor or felony. If she is charged with a misdemeanor, she could face up to one year in a county jail and a maximum $1,000 fine. However, if she is charged with a felony, she could face up to four years in California state prison and a maximum $10,000 fine. Though it varies based on circumstances, it is possible for a person to be convicted of both offenses of Child Abduction and Kidnapping.

For help with a similar case or for any legal need contact the Law Offices of Arash Hashemi at hashemilaw.com.

Related Posts

Pepper Spray and Panic: LA Homeowners Targeted in Nighttime Burglaries

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

LAPD Hunts Suspects After One Resident Attacked in Beverly Grove Two separate home invasions late Friday night in Beverly Grove...

“We’re Better Than This”: Tour Business Owner Pleads for Protection After Third Burglary

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Thieves hit Again, Stealing E-Bikes and Leaving a Wake of Damage in South La Cienega The frustrated owner of a...

Lawsuits Allege Insurance Giants Conspired to Undercut California Fire Victims

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Two Lawsuits Accuse Top Carriers of Price-Fixing and Violating Antitrust Laws Attorneys representing homeowners impacted by California’s January wildfires have...

Cali Camp Welcomes Los Angeles Campers

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Roam streams, meadows and oak trees in the heart of rock-lined Topanga Canyon this summer at Cali...

Culver City Closes Streets for Earth Day to Encourage Green School Commutes

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Pedal, Walk, or Roll: Culver City Schools Go Car-Free for Earth Day Culver City is taking its Earth Day celebration...

Mayor Karen Bass’ Budget Plan Proposes 1,647 Layoffs Amid $300M Liability Surge

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Civilian LAPD Staff, Transportation, and Sanitation Departments Among Hardest Hit Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed city budget for the upcoming fiscal...

Santa Monica PD Makes Arrest in Ocean Front Walk Stabbing; Second Suspect Sought

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Late-Night Stabbing in Santa Monica Prompts Manhunt After a shocking incident of violence in Santa Monica, a man has been...

ALPR Alerts Lead Culver City Police to Two Stolen Vehicles in Two Hours

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Rapid-Response Tech Aids in Back-To-Back Arrests on Sepulveda Culver City police officers recovered two stolen vehicles within a two-hour period...

Registration is Open for Harvard-Westlake Summer Programs

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Summer programs at Harvard-Westlake are open for registration.  Participants can experience renowned programs in academics, visual arts,...

Los Angeles City Attorney Sues Over Illegal Rentals, Wildfire Price Gouging

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

City Attorney Seeks Permanent Ban and Millions in Penalties for Operators City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto has filed a civil...

Culver City Moves the Needle on Housing and Growth in Monthly Pipeline Update

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Monthly Development Report Shows Increase in Affordable Housing Culver City officials have released the latest updates to their Residential and...

Multi-Concept Asian Restaurant Coming to Prime Sunset Strip Corner

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Round 1 Delicious Inks Lease for Asian Dining Concept in WeHo West Hollywood will be the location for a high-end...

Hollywood Legend Raquel Welch’s Former Home Changes Hands in Beverly Glen

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

The Late Actress’s Longtime Residence Sold for $3.1 Million More than two years after Raquel Welch’s passing, the late actress’s...

Heads-Up, Westside: Downtown Santa Monica Traffic to Increase with Pali High Move

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Santa Monica Braces for School Traffic Surge Following Wildfire Displacement Drivers throughout Westside communities, from Brentwood to Pacific Palisades, should...

Rents Stay Stable, but Economic Shifts Threaten the Balance

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Tariffs and Tight Supply Could End Flat Rent Streak After more than a year of minimal fluctuation, asking rents, or...