I didn't have it happen to me, but my sister had her son taken by her estraged ex-husband. It took them almost a year to find him and when they did, he was in horrible physical shape. The way they found him was they contacted his former employers because it was tax time and they knew he would contact them to provide an address to send a W-2. Sure enough he did and the employer called my sister and provided the address. He was in another state. Unfortunately, the divorce proceedings had just begun and no one had legal physical custody of the children so the police could not go and arrest my ex-brother-in-law and take the child. What they did was have my sister report my nephew as a runaway and then the police were able to go into the home and get him. it was a nightmare and a year that she'll never forget. I don't know that I have anything I can say to your friend and I know my sister is not interested in reliving her experience, but just let your friend know not to give up no matter how long it takes. he will make a mistake and you've got to be ready to jump when he does!