Kate Carson, a 38-year-old resident of Lewisburg, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for international parental kidnapping. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.
“Protecting vulnerable children from harm is the highest priority of our office,” said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “Kate Carson kidnapped her young son in full defiance of family court orders because she thought she knew better. She is now being held accountable for her crime and will face the consequences of her decisions.”
Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office commented on the case: “Every child deserves a safe and stable upbringing. This sentence should send a clear message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will make it a priority to investigate those who commit similar acts.”
Court documents show that in summer 2023, Carson’s nine-year-old son was at the center of custody litigation in Sumner County regarding Carson’s request to relocate with him to Portugal. A judge allowed her temporary travel but ordered their return, which Carson ignored. She wrote to the judge stating her intention not to return to the United States.
After N.C.’s father sought recourse through The Hague international tribunal, Carson left Portugal with her son and traveled to Indonesia, which does not have an extradition treaty with the U.S. Court records indicate she attempted to persuade N.C.’s father to abandon his custody pursuit and cooperation with authorities.
By October 2024, Carson had been indicted by a Nashville grand jury and was considered a fugitive. Indonesian authorities detained her after she failed to leave voluntarily as requested. She briefly escaped detention before being apprehended again while moving between Indonesian islands with family members and N.C. Eventually, Indonesian officials expelled her from their country; FBI agents accompanied her back to the U.S., where she was arrested upon arrival.
Carson pleaded guilty in April 2025 to one count of international parental kidnapping before U.S. Chief District Judge William L. Campbell, Jr., who imposed an 18-month prison sentence followed by one year of supervised release. Judge Campbell also prohibited contact between Carson and N.C., unless visitation is granted by an appropriate family court.
N.C., now reunited with his father, is receiving counseling services.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Nashville Field Office investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire.
