GPS tracking device on child

[Family Court Strategies: When Your Partner Has BPD OR NPD Traits.]

Does anyone here have experience on how this would be handled in court?

My SSs are visitng and BPDxw has placed a tracking device on one of the kids. I am not sure wether it is one that has a listening in function.
I am inclined to simply switch it off.

[soundofmusicgirl]

Does anyone here have experience on how this would be handled in court?

My SSs are visitng and BPDxw has placed a tracking device on one of the kids. I am not sure wether it is one that has a listening in function.
I am inclined to simply switch it off.

[GaGrl]

I'd remove the device and switch it off... .in a heartbeat.  Of course, you can expect contact from BPDmom quickly after doing so.

[ambivalentmom]

First, take a breath and take the tracker off the SS.  It's scary and exhausting to find something like this.  Our mind works overtime with all the different possible scenarios and I've had several cases where my good old anxiety took over, so I hope I can ask a few questions to find out more.

Is the tracking device a separate piece, is it a part of their clothing, on the phone etc.?  Do the kids know about it?  Can you 100% prove it was her?  I was going to list other possibilities on what could be going on, but that would make anyone who reads this more paranoid.  Is it a real-time tracker or does it just log locations for her to view for later? 

Mine wasn't handled in court, but I did have a lengthy discussion with my L and this came up.  It's difficult because you would have to prove who put it on there and state why the device is invading the privacy of more than the child it was intended for.  Even then, it would depend on the state, the judge, and it's all gray areas, this instance alone might not be enough to do much.

Others please comment on this next part.  If you can wait and you know for sure it's the ex, don't turn it off just yet, leave it at the house, since she already knows this address.  If it is her, she's probably trying to do some crazy super sleuthing (from what I read in your post before this one).  Is there anyone you feel comfortable with leaving it with for a few days to see if the ex says anything.  Don't mention the tracker to her, wait for her to bring up her findings.  I need other's input because this probably isn't a good idea, but how great would it be if she accused you in email how she "knows" you were somewhere else and gave her proof?

The only downside is whether or not you told her about the overnighter.  This is a very difficult situation because parents should be allowed to know where there kids are.  I trust my family and I trust her school, but they also give me information on where my daughter is because I'm her mom.  With her dad, she could be anywhere and so far, I have about ten times they have not been where I thought they might be (vacation a few states away for a three-day weekend, sleeping on friends couches for the weekend visits, not telling us they had moved, telling us they moved when they hadn't yet, and a whole lot of semantics to try to manipulate the truth).  My situation is more extreme, but what would you want to know and what is fair to know as a mom?  I would at least want to know that they will be staying with a friend closer to the airport the night prior and what phone number they can be reached at.  It's hard because your order might say you need to state the address of where they are.  If you can't show a history of problems as a reason not to give ex addresses, then you will be in the wrong too and it will be harder to punish for the tracker.  I probably need other members' input on that last part too.

Finally, if it's a phone and ex paid for it/phone plan, there is nothing you can legally do (you're not even supposed to turn off the tracker).  Turn off the phone, tell the ex that you can no longer use their phone at your house, give her another number to call, and send it back with the kids.

I hope this helps and I not just rambling, I can give you more based on the answers you have about the tracker.  Take care and I hope to hear from you soon. 

[ForeverDad]

I don't think there will be much doubt who put the track on when you turn it off or set it aside during the visit.

Mother of course will claim she wants her child safe.  You could state that you will be handling/monitoring the children's actions and safety while with you on your time.  One option would be remove Ex's tracker and, if you choose, use your own tracker while the children are with you.  She can fuss and fume but legally shouldn't be able to do anything.  Well, except get sneakier and stealthier with some other hidden device or app.

As for long trips away or out of state, the order probably requires some sort of advance notification if away from the usual home area such as out of state.