Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Deputy Chief Lawrence Cattano of the Perth Amboy Police Department announced today that authorities stopped a jetliner before takeoff to apprehend a Hawaiian man who was fleeing New Jersey with a child, in violation of a child custody court order.
Joel Paula, 32, of Hilo, Hawaii, was arrested on November 29, 2015 and was charged with interference with custody of a child, a second degree offense, and a fourth degree count of contempt of court.
Paula was released from police custody after posting $100,000 bail.
He was charged after relatives of the child contacted Perth Amboy police to report that Paula had a custodial visit with the child, but failed to return the youngster at a designated time.
Detective Liza Capo of the Perth Amboy Police Department subsequently learned that Paula left a vehicle at Newark Liberty International Airport. It was also determined that he and the child were boarding a flight to Phoenix.
Detective Sgt. Marc Levy of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office placed an alert with federal authorities, who were able to intercept the plane before takeoff.
Police officers from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, with assistance from officials of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, ordered the plane to stop and return to its departure gate. Officers then boarded the plane and removed Paula and the child, who was safely returned to relatives.
“This was a successful team effort by law enforcement officers whose goal was to protect the safety of this child,” Prosecutor Carey said. “We understand the hardships that face couples who separate, but regardless of those difficulties, the best interests of children are paramount. This is why these court orders must be obeyed,” Prosecutor Carey said.