A Lewisburg, Tennessee woman was handed an 18-month prison sentence for international parental kidnapping, it was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, Robert E. McGuire. The defendant, Kate Carson, 38, was accused of abducting her nine-year-old son amidst a custody dispute with the child’s father. "Protecting vulnerable children from harm is the highest priority of our office," McGuire stated, emphasizing the gravity of Carson's actions, which went against a family court's ruling.
According to court documents reported by the U.S. Department of Justice, Carson ignored an order dictating her to return to the U.S. from Portugal with her son after an authorized trip in the summer of 2023. When the boy's father sought to enforce his custody rights internationally, Carson fled to Indonesia, a non-extradition country, where she attempted to entice the child’s father into ceasing his custody pursuit. She was, however, eventually detained by Indonesian immigration after attempting to avoid justice, resulting in her deportation back to the United States and subsequent arrest.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation played a pivotal role in the case. “Every child deserves a safe and stable upbringing,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. "This sentence should send a clear message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will make it a priority to investigate those who commit similar acts," Carrico noted. The investigation underscored the rigorous efforts of the FBI in the apprehension and extradition of Carson.
In the wake of her guilty plea in April 2025, U.S. Chief District Judge William L. Campbell Jr. settled on an 18-month term to be served by Carson, followed by one year of supervised release. The court also stipulated limitations on Carson's contact with her son, contingent on rulings from an appropriate family court. The boy, identified as N.C., is now with his father and receiving counseling services to assist in his recovery from the ordeal.
