If a child is being wrongfully withheld, or was abducted by the other parent, the “out parent” may filed directly in the court where the child is being held. Under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction a parent does not have to go through the Central Authority to open a case. However lawyers in Los Angeles often will file directly in the Superior court of California and then notify the Central Authority so they are part of the proceedings.

Article 29

This Convention shall not preclude any person, institution or body who claims that there has been a breach of custody or access rights within the meaning of Article 3 or 21 from applying directly to the judicial or administrative authorities of a Contracting State, whether or not under the provisions of this Convention.