OMG!!!! Brazil's Progressive Party has succeeded in stopping this child from being rightfully given back to his father!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/03/nyregion/03brazil.html?ref=nyregion
Quote from his dad, in the article:
Reached at a Rio hotel late Tuesday, Mr. Goldman called the Supreme Court stay “heartbreaking and disgraceful.”
Thanks for updating this thread! Since this "stay" I have only been posting over at the BSH forum. I'm outraged that this happened, but not surprised.
I've only recently been following this case. Can someone tell my why the step-father refuses to let Sean's father have him? Is he claiming emotional attachment or what? It just seems absolutely ridiculous if you love this child that you would want to keep him from his biological father who has wanted to be a part of his life since he was born.
Is it a power thing?
The step-father is claiming "socio-affective parent" - meaning that they have 'bonded'. Sean's mother was only married to the stepfather for 10 months prior to her death in August 2008. They dated for a while prior to marrying and it is even rumored they may have had a relationship prior to her abducting Sean to Brazil.
The Lins e Silva's (the step fathers family) is a very powerful family of attorneys and politicians. I thing the step father is the front man for appeasing the grandmother.
Ok I have sent an email resquesting intervention again by the state department, President Obama, and the government to resolve this once and for all.. I emailed from the top down to a local level.. and In the process was allalled to see the my state doesnt have anyone on the missing child or abducted children committee. grr.
I think brazils argument that removing Sean would be illegal is assinine as he was illegally removed from his family, home and country of origin years ago.. and that if he had been returned then there would be no question of legality now
Thanks OPME for the support! We all need to be contacting our representatives right on up to the White House. This has to stop! There are more than 70 US children that are being harbored in Brazil alone (50+ families). Brazil needs to step-up and do the right thing!
Ok...I hope I don't get flamed but..........
Has anyone heard what the kid has to say on the subject now?
I agree the boy should have been reunited with his father immediately after his mother died. BUT, he wasn't. That was 5 LONG years ago.
Perhaps.... the child is securely bonded to his step father and half-sibling and doesn't want to be returned to the USA. If that's the case, I would hope the father would love him enough to leave him there and work toward some sort of visitation. I would think that would be in the boy's best interest.
I have only heard one side of the story....the biological fathers.
Linda, I won't flame you, but after reading your other posts on this thread, I will say I respectfully disagree with you. Sean was interviewed by 3 psychologists that said it is in his best interest to be with his father in the US. They said it is obvious that he suffers from Parental Alientation (brainwashing). This "family" has tried to make Sean believe that his Dad abandoned him, doesn't love him, hasn't tried to see him, nor contact him....it's ALL LIES!!! They even went as far as to say that Sean no longer speaks English. He does!
Sean was four years old when his mother (Bruna) abducted him to Brazil under the pretense of a vacation. She had no plans of returning with him. His father, David, has also been suffering and battling to get his son back for 5 LONG YEARS! Let's not forget the initial 4 years that he spent with is loving father in New Jersey. FWIW, the half sister (Chiara) is only 10 months old.
Sean has told the psychologists "whatever" in response to does he want to stay in Brazil or go back to the US. He also told them that it was up to the judge because he's the boss. Not to mention, the family paid for psychologist, kept pushing him to choose - Brazil or the US - 7 times after looking at the family member that was present, he chose Brazil. This is a child that suffers from Parental Alienation. The court appointed pyschologists also stated that Sean would suffer no damage by relocating to New Jersey.
As well, this child should have been returned to the US, to his biological father, 5 years ago. According to the Hague Convention, Brazil should have returned him within 6 weeks.
I would hate to think that if someone took my son (or yours) and fled to Brazil and managed to hide out that you would think it is in the best interest of the child to stay with his abductor because he has a bond with them at this time.
On Wednesday, David was able to spend time with Sean (at the compound) playing with Legos and communicating. David was supposed to leave on Thursday. Before David left Sean on Wednesday, Sean asked him if he would come back to visit him Wednesday morning before he left for the US. David rescheduled his flight and spent Wednesday morning with Sean jumping on the tramoline and Sean showing his Dad his new wrestling moves. Does that sound like a son that doesn't want to be with his Dad? Not to me!
I can't remember the exact wording, but the right to parent our own children is protected by the constitution. I'm sorry and it might sound harsh, but we're given our children by God and not the government and even if the boy has formed a strong bond with the step parent, he should be with his father. I think it would be more damaging in the long run if he's not allowed to have a relationship with his father.
The attorney for the Brazilian family continues to press that Sean is Brazilian Born. Sean was born in New Jersey and is an American citizen. There has been some discussion at BSH regarding his dual citizentship but it is believed he is not a Brazilian citizen until he chooses such at age 18 because of the illegal abduction. This sick attorney (Tostes) has even compared Sean coming back to the USA, to sending him to a Nazi concentration camp! How offensive!
Chicana - you are right - SEAN SHOULD BE WITH HIS ONLY FATHER, DAVID GOLDMAN!