Man Fights for Custody of Abducted Son

By Sarah Harper

Published on June 21, 2009

David Goldman, an American citizen, is involved in a child custody battle over his 9-year-old son Sean, whom his ex-wife abducted in 2004 and took to her native Brazil. The case, which has reached Brazil's highest court and gained the attention of the U.S. State Department, highlights issues of international abductions and child custody.

The case began in 2004, when Goldman's then-wife, Bruna Bianchi Carneiro Ribeiro, abducted Sean and took him to Brazil, claiming they were taking a brief vacation.

Ribeiro then divorced Goldman and married a Brazilian lawyer. She died in September. Sean now lives with his step-father in Rio. The stepfather's family reportedly claims that Goldman has not demonstrated adequate interest in the child. The prosecution cites international treaties against child abduction.

On Wednesday, Brazil's Supreme Federal Court ruled that it cannot determine who should have custody of Sean. Last week, the Court suspended a lower court ruling that would have granted custody to the U.S. consulate, which would then have handed Sean over to Goldman.

The custody battle is expected to continue until resolution.

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