Pairing "Charlie's Angels" star Kate Jackson with "Growing Pains" darling Tracy Gold — do you really need to know anything else about this movie to want to watch it?  Dede (Jackson) doesn't approve of her divorced 22-year old daughter's parenting skills. The hapless Sarah (Tracey Gold) runs with a marginally disreputable crowd and can't pick the right birthday presents for son Kyle (Robert Bishop) -- slight provocation for what follows.

Kyle starts telling stories about a "Mr. Skully Bones" who does bad things to him at Sarah's instigation. Apparently there's an active Satanic cell in town, and Dede takes Kyle to an overzealous expert on the occult who gives much credence to the child's sketchy rendition.

Dede, with Sarah's ex-husband at her side, sues for custody. Sarah meets the perfect guy in art class (Jeff Yagher) and marries him to improve her chances in court proceedings ... an unnecessary step, as Kyle confesses that grandma coached him to lie. The custody suit is won by Sarah, who's not surprised at her mother's behavior.

But the relentless Dede is so convinced her daughter is unfit that she bides her time and eventually kidnaps Kyle. Sarah's sister (Laura Harris) is forced to choose between sibling and mother and tags along as they go on the run with the aid of an underground organization called "Project Shepherd."

The fact-based drama A Kidnapping in the Family depicts how a young, divorced mother (Tracey Gold) gets accused of child abuse by her mother (Kate Jackson), and the ensuing custody battle.

It was directed by Colin Bucksey. The mother of Tracey's character was played by Kate Jackson. Told Jackson TV Guide :

"It appealed to me because in the classic sense of terror, the monster is someone close to you. Despite the subject, it was fun because of the actors I worked with."
The movie was filmed during October and November 1995 in "Hollywood North"---Vancouver, BC , Canada. Original air date: Monday, February 26, 1996 on ABC.