Boy Finally Reunited With American Dad in Brazil

[Are_grits_groceries]

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- A Brazilian family delivered a 9-year-old boy to his American father in Brazil on Thursday, ending a five-year custody battle.

Sean Goldman was brought into the U.S. consulate by his maternal grandmother and his stepfather, making it into the compound's front door as scores of reporters and cameramen tried to get close. His father, David Goldman, was waiting for him inside.

Sean cried as his Brazilian relatives and family lawyer tried to get him through the scrum of journalists in front of the consulate. Guards had to violently push back photographers and TV cameramen.

The boy carried his luggage and wore a gold shirt with the Brazilian flag and Olympic rings underneath.

The boy didn't say anything as he was led from a black SUV across the street to the consulate. His maternal grandmother, Silvana Bianchi, said in tears simply that "this is a very difficult moment."

Goldman, of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, won a big legal victory late Tuesday when Brazil's chief justice upheld a lower court's ruling that ordered Sean returned to him.

The father and son were expected to fly back to Goldman's home within hours.

The Brazilian family said Wednesday it was dropping legal challenges to rulings giving custody to Goldman. But the New Jersey man said repeatedly that, until he was on a plane heading to the U.S. with Sean at his side, he would not feel relief.

The Brazilian family brought the boy to the consulate about 25 minutes before the 9 a.m. (1100 GMT) court-ordered deadline to have him handed over to his dad.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/24/world/AP-LT-Brazil-US-Custody.html?_r=1&hp

It didn't have to be this way. I hope the maternal relatives are happy(meh), and I hope the child can adjust in time. it's bittersweet right now IMHO.

(I wish they had had a lot of police to push the media miles away.)

[cali]

1. I think this was the right decision. The mother stole the child from the father.

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. I think so too.

It just ended up being an unnecessary mess that hurt the child. I don't think the Brazilian family counted on the father to be so persistent or for the US government to get involved. Sen. Lautenberg of NJ put a hold on a bill to aid Brazil until it was resolved.

The last act was also shameful. The family was offered a way to drive into the compound and avoid the mess out front. They chose to park away from the building and walk through that scrum. I'd be upset walking through those twits even if I was getting the keys to the kingdom.

[Mika]

3. Agree. What should have happened during the Elain Gonzales ordeal.

Of course, the RW MiamiCubano mob wanted the opposite outcome as this case, and as eventually happened with Elain (after Janet Reno had to authorize a rescue of the boy from the kidnapping "family" in Miami).

He's doing fine now ..



.. and in a leadership position in the Cuban Communist Youth Party.

[malaise]

5. I don't think a mother can steal her own child

but this was the classic Elian Gonzales case and the kid belongs with his dad. I hope he adjusts and I hope in time he can visit his grandmother and stepfather for holidays.

[lamp_shade]

4. A very happy ending... even with major adjustments to be made.

[comtec]

6. Happy for who?

Just sayin, someone lost in this.
Mind you imho that's the KID who lost.
Poor boy's going to need years of therapy!
Think of what his step father was saying about the dad?!