A Vigo court has sentenced a father to two years in prison following the abduction of his daughter, a term commuted to immediate expulsion from Spain and a ten-year re-entry ban. According to Cadena SER, the defendant must also pay 6,000 euros in damages to the child, while losing parental authority for a decade and facing a permanent contact prohibition.
The investigation into the disappearance, which began on November 12, 2023, spanned multiple international jurisdictions, with authorities tracking the child’s movement through the United Arab Emirates before she was eventually located in Oujda, Morocco.
Chronology of the abduction and recovery
The case originated on November 12, 2023, when the father removed his daughter from her home without the mother’s consent during a separation proceeding. After the mother noticed the child’s absence from school the following day, she filed a formal complaint. By February 2024, she had secured exclusive custody of the minor, though the child’s location remained unknown until an international arrest warrant was issued.
The court’s decision to replace prison time with immediate deportation and a decade-long re-entry ban highlights a judicial shift toward prioritizing the finality of the child’s return and the legal separation of the parties. By stripping the father of parental rights for ten years, the court has effectively established a rigid barrier to prevent future unauthorized contact, emphasizing the legal weight placed on the protection of the minor over standard custodial sentencing.
Resolution of the case
The child was recovered in Oujda, where the father eventually handed her over to her maternal aunt. Following this, local judicial authorities intervened to facilitate the legal process. In December 2024, the courts ordered the permanent return of the minor to her mother in Spain, officially concluding the search.
Potential future implications
Because the defendant is now subject to a ten-year ban from Spanish territory and has lost all legal parental authority, any attempt to bypass these restrictions could trigger further international legal action. Given that the case required an international arrest warrant to reach its resolution, it is likely that future compliance will be monitored through continued cooperation between Spanish and Moroccan authorities. A possible next step for the family involves the long-term enforcement of the 6,000-euro compensation order across borders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final sentence handed down by the court?
The court sentenced the father to two years in prison, which was commuted to immediate expulsion from Spain and a ten-year ban on returning to the country.
When was the child returned to her mother?
Following the intervention of local authorities in Oujda, the courts ordered the child’s permanent return to Spain in December 2024.
What restrictions were placed on the father regarding his daughter?
The father has lost his parental authority for ten years, is strictly prohibited from contacting his daughter, and must pay her 6,000 euros in damages.
How do you believe international judicial cooperation should evolve to better protect minors in cross-border custody disputes?
Worth a look