David Goldman Custody Battle Update: Sean Goldman To Return To US 
In a long-awaited decision today, David Goldman's child custody battle may be over. Brazilian Chief Justice Gilmar Mendes ordered for Sean Goldman to be returned to his father David Goldman, which means Sean Goldman will leave Brazil and return to the United States. The custody battle was ongoing for a year now since the death of Sean's mother Bruna Bianchi. The decision has been pending for days. On December 16, it was announced by Brazilian Court that Sean Goldman would be returned to his father in less than 48 hours, but that decision was called off and it was ruled that the boy would stay in Brazil to give his own testimony. But, today that decision was overturned again.
Meanwhile, Sean Goldman's Brazilian family says they will demand Sean's return.
Americans were following Sean Goldman's story closely for weeks now. Major TV channels were providing constant updates on the situation. Google Trends always had "david goldman" search terms in the top 20. Now, that the David Goldman's custody battle seems to be over, it will be interesting to see how Sean Goldman will be greeted at home as he lands on American soil.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (63)
at 16:41 on December 22nd, 2009
As a Brazilian I was campaigning for David Goldman in many blogs but Sean Goldman is also a Brazilian citizen and he has a sister and grandparents in Brazil. I hope Mr. Goldman will remember that.
at 17:19 on December 22nd, 2009
Hey S Tunes, his "Brazilian Family" didn't give a damn about Sean's family in the United States. And when his mother, an abductor, died, his "Brazilian family" didn't give a crap about the only biological parent Sean had left. It was all about them and what they wanted and how they wanted to appear. It had nothing to do with the boy, it was a power trip b/c they think that just b/c they have money they can steal an AMERICAN CHILD from his REAL FATHER. Well now they've lost, and Sean will come home to his real father and his real country and if his Brazilian family "demands" him back or "demands" to see Sean, well, his REAL father is a better person than I am. David Goldman has said he won't make it as hard as they did on him. But if I were him there's no way I'd send the boy to Brazil ever again, I'd tell them they had to come up to Jersey to see him, and only under his supervision. If they don't like it, tough luck. And it amazes me that those people haven't been arrested yet for kidnapping, because that's what it was. I have zero sympathy for his Brazilian family.
at 11:06 on December 23rd, 2009
Ahrean,You're 100% right. I wud also hope David cud sue the Brazilian relatives for depriving him of his nurturing relationship w/ his son for a year.
at 13:00 on December 23rd, 2009
Ahrean - I agree with you!! I am brazilian and I think S Tunes doesn't know what really is going on... lol S Tunes should be ashamed for all this situation. It was rediculous!!! I am so happy David Goldman is gonna have his son back HOME. Sean belongs to HIS FATHER. Yes!! Now I am relief and thank God everything turned out good at the end. Zero sympathy for Sean family in Brasil too!! ;)
at 17:33 on December 22nd, 2009
They should have thought of that before they put this guy through hell.
at 17:55 on December 22nd, 2009
Your point is taken, but Sean Goldman has grandparents and other family in the US as well which he has NOT seen at all because he has been DENIED this right by the "extended" family in Brazil. This family has REFUSED to recognize THIS FACT for the last 5 years! Sean Goldman belongs with his natural father ...and this should have been done a long time ago, but now we are at the beginning of the end and Brazil needs to get a spine and finally put an end to this judicial exploitation by the stepfather and maternal grandmother. The Brazilian government and their judicial system is on notice to enforce this ruling and we will be watching carefully. Thank you New Jersey
at 18:07 on December 22nd, 2009
Did his Brazilian family (the abductors) remember that when it came to his American Grandparents let alone his Daddy ( his one & only parent????)
at 19:21 on December 22nd, 2009
The family can come to the US to see Sean. If I were David I would not ever go to that Banana Republic again. Bastards doing that to a father Don't you have enough kids that are uncared for all the pick pockets. Fix up your wanabe Monte Carlo. This has been disgraceful. David should not ever leave his child alone with any Brazilian relative or not. Sorry thats how I feel.
at 03:26 on December 23rd, 2009
Katie, I am brazilian and I don't agree with what the brazilian family have done, as well as millions of brazilians do not agree. Please don't make the mistake of generalizing the behavior of a few to an entire country. As you can see, "Banana Republic", also known as Brazil, also have laws - just as there are laws in your country. Thank you and have a great Christmas.
at 17:24 on January 9th, 2010
macacos me mordam , god damn !
at 21:07 on December 22nd, 2009
Your correct but those same grandparents lied to this father and were more than willing to take his child away from him. Its tragic that the siblings will be raised separately. I have no pity on the grandparents just the father, Sean and the sister. If the Brazilian family is truly interested in reaching out they should appoloize, refund the Goldman family for the money this has cost and send the sister to visit her brother in the United States when she is old enough. In regards to the grandparents I believe if they are ever permitted to see Sean again it needs to be supervised since they have already helped abduct him once. How evil this family dealt with this sitaution.
at 22:52 on December 22nd, 2009
I must respectfully disagree and argue your comment. Sean Goldman's Brazilian family didn't remember that Sean had family in America. Actually, they were constantly reminded that Sean had family in America and they just ignored it.
at 08:50 on December 23rd, 2009
David Goldman has been asked if he would cut ties with the Brazillians if he won custody and he replied that he would not. That he would not do to them what was done to him and Sean. That is because he is better person in this and really does care about his son. Not winning and losing.
at 11:28 on December 30th, 2009
EVEN THOUGH HE HAS BRAZILIAN RELATIVES DOES NOT MEAN THAT HE SHOULD NOT BE WITH HIS FATHER, HIS ONLY BIOLOGICAL PARENT THAT HE HAS LEFT...FOR GODS SAKE, HIS MOM ABDUCTED HIM AND TOOK HIM TO BRAZIL FOR WHAT REASON???? WHATEVER WAS B/W HER AND HER HUSBAND IT SHOULD HAVE STAYED THERE, TO TAKE A CHILD AWAY FROM HIS PARENT IS NOT RIGHT...HE SHOULD STAY IN AMERICA WITH HIS FATHER, IF HIS RELATIVES FROM BRAZIL WANT TO SEE HIM, LET THEM COME HERE AND HAVE SUPERVISED VISITS!!!!!!!!!!!
at 16:48 on December 22nd, 2009
Thanks be to the Lord-- many prayers are answered. As an American mother of two boys born in Brazil (we moved to the States when they were 3 and 1 years old), I was always terrified of my ex-husband (Brazilian) abducting them to Brazil. Congratulations Goldman family!
at 17:00 on December 22nd, 2009
May Sean not be prevented from getting on a plane and returning to the US of A. The step-father has done this boy wrong and the Brazilian courts have prolonged his return. Hopefully the return will not be help up once again.
at 17:01 on December 22nd, 2009
I will believe it only when that boys feet touch ground on U.S. soil.
at 17:05 on December 22nd, 2009
I will believe it only when that boys feet touch ground on U.S. soil.
at 17:08 on December 22nd, 2009
s tunes are u an idiot..the sister is only his half sister and he was not made a brazillian citizen by choice...i appreciate u campaigned for david goldman but he belongs with his biological father...his grandparents kept him from his father..they dont deserve to see him.
at 17:10 on December 22nd, 2009
If I were David Goldman and his attorneys, I would have had a private investigator on this family to make sure they don't abduct him again and take him out of the country. I am praying that they haven't already done this. I am praying they understand if they do this, there will be no chance of them seeing Sean every again.
at 17:10 on December 22nd, 2009
This went back and forth so many times now, it must be an ordeal for the child.
For Father's though it is good news. especially in international relations. This may serve as precedent in future court rulings and may be used now by Fathers 4 Justice as well.
at 17:14 on December 22nd, 2009
Shame on Brazil for violating International Laws. It appears that someone was paid off. Brazil is a stone-hearted country and I pity the child for being subjected to such inhumane treatment. Of course, the inhumane treatment is having the child brainwashed against his Dad. His Dad is a hero, and the child will eventually understand the cruelty of his Brazilian relatives.
at 17:26 on December 22nd, 2009
I am thrilled that this judge has made the decision to return Sean to his father. How sad that Mr. Goldman has had to endure this torture. I pray that Sean will make it safely onto US soil. If for some reason Sean and David are kept apart, I hope we as US Citizens will join together and boycott the next Olympics in Rio.
at 17:41 on December 22nd, 2009
Finally! Sanity prevails!
at 17:45 on December 22nd, 2009
THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS AND ESPECIALLY CHRISTMAS WEEK. I HAVE CRIED MANY TIMES FOR THIS FATHER. AS A MOTHER OF A SON MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIM AND HIS SON AND I PRAY THAT THEY LAND HOME IN THE US OF A SAFELY!!!!! AND SOON!!!!
at 17:49 on December 22nd, 2009
THANK GOD FINALLY THAT DAVID CAN BRING HIS SON HOME!!
at 18:05 on December 22nd, 2009
Just a reminder to S Tunes.... Sean Goldman ALSO has a family in the United States which he has been DENIED the right to know about or see by his "extended" family in Brazil for the last 5 years!!! It's time for the Brazilian government to get a spine, honor the Hague Treaty, enforce this ruling within the next 24 hours and finally put an END to the judicial exploitation by the stepfather and maternal grandmother!
at 18:06 on December 22nd, 2009
I've been following this story ever since the boys mother died. And I am over joyed for David!!! How dare the Brazilian government ever even allow such a thing to happen. NONE of what that mother did was legal...It's a shame government's can't work together for the well being of a child. Sean's step-father obviously does not have his best interest at heart. David never did anything to deserve the loss of a child. At this point it was have to be assumed Sean has been told things about his dad that are untrue and unfair. I hope he makes it back to America safely and soundly and can have a new beginning with his father. One day Sean will understand and know the truth about what happened to him. What a lot for a young boy to go through. Best of Luck David!
at 18:34 on December 22nd, 2009
Thank God ! All I can see is the genuine love David Goldman has for his son, this is so dear to my heart as a single mother... to see a father fight for a relationship for his blood son! Rejoice is what I say! I am not sure if they have boarded a plane yet, I hope when they land on American soil they can be truely united in safety knowing that they are in the free world! All it takes is seeing David and Sean in photos to know the bond those two have is pure- what a Merry Christmas and Happy NEW Year indeed!!!!!!!!! Good job David for all of your hard work and patience.
at 20:12 on December 22nd, 2009
I have a very bad feeling that they have had a plan in place in case Sean's Dad won, I think that they will try to disappear with Sean. I only hope that David has people watching them in case this happens. This transition is going to be very hard for Sean , but he has a Dad that has fought for him because he loves him. I hope that his Brazilian family do the right thing and hand him over and not do anything stupid !