Child abduction refers to the unlawful taking or keeping of a child, often by someone who is not their legal guardian. This can occur in various situations, including parental disputes or by strangers. The act can lead to severe emotional and psychological effects on the child and their family. There are different types of child abduction, such as family abduction, where a parent takes their child without consent, and stranger abduction, which involves a non-familial individual. Law enforcement agencies and organizations like National Center for Missing & Exploited Children work to prevent abductions and recover missing children.