Brazil Custody Case: David Goldman Awaits Delayed Decision

THIS IS NOT  A CUSTODY CASE!  It is a child abduction case.  And Brazil is breaking it's own laws - they should not be allowed to host the Olympics until they abide by International Law!

I completly agree.And the kids that the Us killed in Afgan, Iraq ... have these kids been forgotten ?  Should Us put sanction in US because of all these kids killed ? In the end no weapon of massive destruction were found in Iraq, and the military bases are half shared with Halliburton to extract oil.  And the kids killed for this, forgotten ?So don't attack another country because of failed divorce that went wrong. It is completly miss leading.

Is this considered good journalism?  How many parts of the story are we leaving out?  This isn't a custody dispute, but an international kidnapping.  And they don't want the US Government involved in taking an American child hostage by a man who isn't even related to him because he happens to have political influences in Brazil.  What about all the rulings in favor of returning the child to his rightful father, only to be delayed by legal maneuvering by an influential Brazalin family in hopes that the father would eventually give up hope and stop fighting.  Criminal charges should be brought up against this family and this so-called attorney disbarred for criminal activity.  Nothing ranks higher than one's own child and for these people to do what they have done is beyond cruel.  For them to now want to come to the bargaining only now that the world is watching is hillarious.  Brazil signed the Hague Agreement, but are going to enforce it after it has been brought to the world's attention that they are in clear violation of it.  If you have ever had your child held from you, you would know the injustice of it.  I would do exactly what this man has done, it is only very sad it has taken 5 years to get anything done.

Suri - I totally agree with you. The U.S. should boycott the Olympics until this kid is brought home to his father. No child should be kept from his/her only living biological parent (one who clearly wants that child) and instead be permitted to remain with an unrelated third party. Why can't we just send a team of dark-ops in there and bring this boy back to the U.S.? Unbelievable. I can't believe these idiots got the Olympics over Chicago.

What are you talking about ?So if a couple divorces and the father is from Chicago and the mother from New York..., one state should impose sanction to another state about the settlement of the divorce ?!?!? this is completely unfounded.If US boycots the Olympics, the impact in the Olympic will be zero ! given that most us citizen will not be able to travel, since they will be more worried in how to pay their mortgages and credit cards bills. Another thing, US savings are negative and the US government is completely bankrupt, not to mention that the US is not being supported by most countries in the world given the its foreign policies under the Bush administration. Many conflicts with Corea, Cuba, Iraq, Mexico,Afgan, Iran, Venezuela,China, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland ... and now will do the same with Brazil ?

I completly agree.You guys in this blog are so "purist", so take a step forward and help those kids involved in all nonsense war started by the US.And the kids that the Us killed in Afgan, Iraq ... have these kids been forgotten ?  Should Us put sanction in US because of all these kids killed ? In the end no weapon of massive destruction were found in Iraq, and the military bases are half shared with Halliburton to extract oil.  And the kids killed / handicapped  for this, forgotten ?So don't attack another country because of failed divorce that went wrong. It is completly miss leading.

Well, this sure stirred up some emotions.  This matter is before the courts.  How would some of you read the situation if the dad were from Iran and the mom were from the U.S.?  Would you be so emotional about returning the kid?  Brazil is one of the economic powerhouses these days.  It has been a civilized country for a long time.  The U.S. isn't the only desirable place to live. It does not seem at all fair that the biological father has to go through all this agony to get his boy back, but name calling and calling Brazil a hell hole doesn't help the discussion.

isnt this the next site of the Olympics? and all that money to go there?  Sanctions?

I wouldnt give Brazil a nickel for anything.  They have kept an American citizen from its Father, to me it means he has been kidnapped.  Why does the stepfather want to keep this child anyhow.  Has anybody ever questioned his reasons?  Dont get it.  It certainly keep me from Rio at any time, even if a trip was given to me for free.

As Dr. Phil recently told a Aunt of her late sisters' daughter and that is the childs' Mother has no right to give away the Fathers' child to someone else.  This is the same principle that Seans' mother had no right to give away Sean to someone else without David Goldmans' consent.  David wants his son back and has every right to have him.  The Brazilian goverment refuses to see that and if they had any commmon sense and half a brain to go along with the common sense they might be able to see that the only one truely suffereing is Sean.

I totally agree with you, Jennifer. This is an international kidnapping case and Brazil should be reprimanded for breaking across the lines of the law.  The Olympics signify so many international rules and regulations; let it be one more that it honors by disqualifying Brazil from hosting.

THEY NEED TO SEND THE BOY BACK HERE IN THE US WHERE HE BELONGS

As a father who has lost daily interaction with his children due to divorce I can only imagine the frustration and torment David Goldman has been living with for the past 5 years. This is totally unacceptable and we as AMERICANS need to stand up and fight for our rights and DEMAND that governments that act in this manner will not be tolerated nor supported by the American people! Let them understand the strength of American tourism and what the loss means to their economy! My heart goes our to you David and Sean, NOBODY has the right to keep a father and son seperated and unable to continue their healthy relationship. Brasil and Joao Paulo Lins e Silva have refused to follow the law and have completely disregarded what is best for Sean! This MUST STOP! SEND SEAN HOME!

Everyone is ignoring or downplaying the obvious---this is a totally Catholic country and they do not want to give this child to a Jew, even if it is his father.  Of course, no one will address this issue.  Remember where most Nazi war criminal hid out after the war! The best that anyone can do is boycott all travel to Brazil--and that means tours, cruises, etc.  Only when it starts to hit them in the pockebook, will the Brazilian government stop this total nonsense. Too bad we can't kidnapp one of their kids..........

I think this is a travesty and the child is the biggest loser.  He lost his mother and now because he was not returned to his father 5 years ago, he will lose the only people he knows as his family.  His father is right to fight for him but there are no clear cut winners at this point.

Brazil is acting like a third world hellhole. This family should be jailed for what they have done. I'm ashamed of our government for not taking care of this a LONG time ago.

The question is - who should have custody of Sean? The biological father or the step-father? Think back to the turn of the century when Elián González's distant relatives in the U.S. petitioned for custody of the Cuban boy vs his biological father.  Even though most Americans felt Elián would have a better life in the U.S., he was returned to his biological father and has been living a decent life in Cuba. David Goldman has shown nothing but love, care, and concern for his child for the past 5 years.  His child should have been returned to him immediately after the death of his ex-wife. The fact that it has taken 5 years to get to this point only shows how little thought and care the Brazilian government has shown toward this little boy.  It's time he was reunited with his father.

EMAIL THE EMBASSADOR IN WASHINGTON...... FLOOD HIS INBOX......... ambasdsador@brasilemb.org

correction: EMAIL THE BRAZILIAN AMBASSADOR IN WASHINGTON ambassador@brasilemb.org

At this point every American should come to the aid of David Goldman. The press has done a good job of bringing this case to the public. Congress has passed a resolution. President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have been involved in the case. Basically all of these efforts have had no teeth. Americans have the capability of getting Brazil's undivided attention. Simply stated, let's start an international e-mail effort to boycott the Brazilian olympics and anyone who is dealing with Brazil if Sean is not returned to his father, David Goldman, promptly. I am a veteran. I swore to fight and die for this country. I am not willing to allow my brother citizen to be treated this way. These efforts will apply the needed pressure to force them to comply with human decency and the Hague Agreement. Let us all start an e-mail effort immediately and get Brazil's attention.

I say let the grandmother come back . . . once she is on US soil, she can and should be arrested for the original kidnapping of her grandson.  Then, we can put her on the slow-track of justice, let's say 5 years, during which time she can know what it feels like to be away from her family, friends, money and influence.  If we in this country do not want to make deals with terrorists (obviously) then we should likewise not be making deals with kidnappers.

This is actually a very good news for Rio. Nobody will have to see your big fat white tail in copacabana beach. stay at home and watch football with your six pack, Mr. Joe Six Pack.

I believe Sean belongs with his biological dad...what are the Brazilians trying to prove?  We are now supposed to support them in the Olympics after they have done this to one of our own?  Does not seem right to me.  I pray for Sean's quick and safe return to New Jersey.

I've been following this story for quite some time and I can not believe our government won't do anything about this.  This is not a custody issue....THIS IS A KIDNAPPING ISSUE!  Our government needs to take steps to bring this child back to his BIOLOGICAL father. I am infuriated that the Brazilian government is getting away with this! Send Sean home where he belongs!

I completly agree.You guys in this blog are so "purist", so take a step forward and help those kids involved in all nonsense war started by the US.And the kids that the Us killed in Afgan, Iraq ... have these kids been forgotten ?  Should Us put sanction in US because of all these kids killed ? In the end no weapon of massive destruction were found in Iraq, and the military bases are half shared with Halliburton to extract oil.  And the kids killed / handicapped  for this, forgotten ?So don't attack another country because of failed divorce that went wrong. It is completly miss leading.

I completly agree.You guys in this blog are so "purist", so take a step forward and help those kids involved in all nonsense war started by the US.And the kids that the Us killed in Afgan, Iraq ... have these kids been forgotten ?  Should Us put sanction in US because of all these kids killed ? In the end no weapon of massive destruction were found in Iraq, and the military bases are half shared with Halliburton to extract oil.  And the kids killed / handicapped  for this, forgotten ?So don't attack another country because of failed divorce that went wrong. It is completly miss leading.

The kid wants to stay in Brazil. Just look at youtube !

Bring Sean home, this should be a cut and dry situation, he belongs with his real father.

I also believe Americans need to do more to support Mr. Goldman. I have already decided that I will never visit Brazil and will try to talk anyone out of going there (and there is no reversing that no matter what they do short of a national apology from their president). If this case is not resolved today, the next step is to get more involved in organized protests, boycotts, calls for sanctions, etc. We need to identify the products coming from Brazil and stop buying them immediately. That means if you buy shoes or cotton products, make sure it was not produced in Brazil. In fact, check all your purchases. We need to follow that with tarrifs or sanctions on oil and steel. What a shameful, criminal, corrupt country. Boycott Brazil!