Family & Children
Someone Is Looking After My Children While This Is Happening. What Should I Do?
When an unexpected arrest, accident, medical emergency or legal incident interrupts a family trip, the immediate priority is making sure the children remain safe, supervised and informed appropriately.
Confirm who is caring for them, provide essential information and create a practical plan for the next several hours—not every possible outcome at once.
The Practical Answer
Confirm that your children are with a trusted responsible adult, make sure the caregiver has the information and documents needed for immediate care and establish how decisions and updates will be handled.
If an arrest, court matter, custody issue or travel restriction may affect the arrangement, obtain prompt advice from an appropriate Hawaiʻi attorney.
Could the Incident Affect Your Ability to Care for or Travel With Your Children?
Gather the relevant documents, names and deadlines before contacting a Hawaiʻi attorney.
I’m Ready to Contact an Attorney1. Confirm Exactly Who Is Caring for the Children
Know the caregiver’s full name, phone number and current location. Confirm that the person understands how long the arrangement may last and how to reach you.
If possible, choose an adult the children already know and trust.
2. Make Sure the Children Are Physically Safe
Confirm that they have secure accommodation, food, water, suitable clothing and any required medication.
If there is immediate danger, a missing child, a medical emergency or no safe adult available, call 911.
3. Provide Essential Medical Information
- Allergies and serious medical conditions.
- Medication names, doses and schedules.
- Health-insurance or travel-insurance details.
- The child’s doctor or emergency contact.
- Any recent injury or treatment connected to the incident.
4. Locate Passports and Travel Documents
Make sure the caregiver knows where passports, airline confirmations, identification and accommodation information are stored.
Do not hand over original documents unless necessary, but ensure they can be accessed quickly if travel plans change.
5. Tell the Hotel or Accommodation Only What Is Necessary
If the children remain at a hotel or vacation rental with another adult, the property may need the caregiver’s name and contact details.
Avoid sharing unnecessary legal or medical information with staff. Focus on access, room arrangements and practical safety.
6. Explain the Situation to the Children in an Age-Appropriate Way
Use calm, simple facts. Avoid frightening predictions or adult legal details they cannot understand.
Tell them who is caring for them, when they can expect another update and that the situation is being handled.
7. Identify Another Trusted Adult Back Home
Choose a relative or guardian who can assist with decisions, travel changes, school obligations or longer-term care if the incident continues.
Make sure that person and the local caregiver can contact each other directly.
8. Consider Whether Written Permission May Be Needed
A caregiver may be asked for proof that they are authorized to assist with medical treatment, travel, accommodation or document collection.
Requirements vary. Ask the relevant provider what documentation it accepts, and seek legal advice when authority or custody is disputed.
9. Review Upcoming Flights and Reservations
Check departure times, ticket conditions, hotel checkout and transportation arrangements. Do not assume an airline will allow a child to travel with a different adult without additional documentation.
Contact the airline directly for its current requirements.
10. Keep Important Belongings Together
Gather medication, chargers, clothing, comfort items, travel documents and emergency contacts in one secure place.
Label bags clearly if the children may move between a hotel, hospital, police facility or another accommodation.
11. Create a Communication Schedule
Agree on regular update times with the caregiver. This reduces repeated calls and helps the children know when they will hear from you.
If you cannot communicate freely, identify another adult who can pass on verified information.
12. Keep a Written Record of Decisions
Record who has the children, where they are staying, what documents were provided and what arrangements were made.
Save messages and confirmations relating to flights, accommodation, medical care and temporary supervision.
13. Seek Prompt Advice When Legal Authority Is Unclear
Legal assistance may be important when parents disagree, an arrest or court order affects contact, a caregiver lacks authority or the children may need to leave Hawaiʻi without a parent.
Do not rely on informal online advice for custody, court or travel questions.
14. Reassess the Arrangement as Facts Change
A suitable arrangement for two hours may not be suitable for two days. Review supervision, accommodation, travel and decision-making whenever the expected timeline changes.
Make changes early rather than waiting until the caregiver or children become overwhelmed.
Has the Temporary Care Arrangement Become a Legal or Travel Problem?
Prepare the children’s documents, caregiver details, travel plans and any court or police paperwork before making contact.
I’m Ready to Contact an Attorney