Child Abduction Recovery International blames competitor for arrests
THE child recovery organisation behind the botched 60 Minutes abduction has accused a rival organisation of tipping off the authorities.
THE child recovery organisation behind the botched 60 Minutes child abduction plot has accused rivals of tipping off authorities in a stinging Facebook rant.
As Child Abduction Recovery International (CARI) boss Adam Whittington and fellow Briton Craig Michael remain in jail, a post on the agency’s Facebook page blasted competitors, blaming them for its failure.
The post comes just hours after 60 Minutes crew Tara Brown, Ben Williamson, David Ballment and Stephen Rice walked free from a Beiruit prison.
The group had been jailed after being charged with kidnapping charges related to a botched attempt to abduct Australian mother Sally Faulkner’s two children from their father Ali Elamine in Lebanon.
In a post this morning, the agency defends Mr Whittington, revealing his experience as a former Australian soldier and British police officer was crucial to the organisation’s success.
The post makes it clear it believes child abduction harms children and it was a last resort for parents desperate to get their children home.
It also dismisses claims it uses fake cases on its website before launching into an apparent attack on its rivals.
“It has come to our attention that one of our competitors has actively undermined this operation, by passing on confidential information,” the post reads.
“These malevolent actions have resulted in the detention of those involved. As a consequence, there are now many more children separated from their parents, as all those incarcerated have children and families.
“All parties are aware of this individual’s self-serving actions, which are nothing short of despicable and were designed purely to bring down one of the only trustworthy, honest and reliable organisations operating in this difficult area.”
In a follow up post, the wife of Mr Whittington, who does not name herself defends her husband as well as the events that have taken place.
She begins by thanking those who have offered support to him but also takes a swing at competitor firms who are using “this tragedy as a giant PR exercise for their own shameless self promotion”.
“I find that completely disgraceful and unprofessional. Some people were so quick to act and do interviews to shine in media its (sic) sad,” she says.
“This is a big tragedy for many families of the ones involved. Show some respect for the ones who did try to make a difference instead of spreading false rumours.”
She also goes on to say how her husband feels passionately that it is wrong for one parent to remove children away from the custodial parent and stresses the anguish and pain Ms Faulkner must now be experiencing.
Unsurprisingly, many on the comments were supportive of the agency and Mr Whittington, however a few commented on how silly the move was.
“You assaulted the grandma of the children and you tried to abduct the children you need to take a good look at yourself,” one commenter posted.
Another criticised the organisation for doing exactly what it said it was against.
“Child abduction harms children and is effectively child abuse — yet this is what you did in Lebanon — unilaterally taking a child from their father and home,” the post read.
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