RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A New Jersey man trying to take his son back to the U.S. in a Brazilian custody battle is getting some help from the South American nation's attorney general.
David Goldman has pleaded with authorities to allow him to regain custody of his son, who was taken to Brazil by his mother in 2004. She later divorced Goldman, remarried and died last year in childbirth.
Brazil's attorney general has appealed a Supreme Court decision blocking the transfer of Sean to his father from his Brazilian family, citing the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. He argues failing to follow the accord could lead to sanctions.
It's not clear when the court will take up the appeal.
Goldman's case gained momentum when a federal appellate court ruled Wednesday that the boy should be handed over to the American. The next day, a Supreme Court judge stayed the decision, pending a top court ruling.
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<<CUT …156 (12/18/09)>> 00:12 "save my son"
David Goldman
David Goldman, who is trying to regain custody of his son in Brazil, says his latest setback is no surprise. COURTESY: NBC's "Today" show ((mandatory on-air credit))
<<CUT …157 (12/18/09)>> 00:09 "''
David Goldman
David Goldman, who is trying to regain custody of his son in Brazil, says he sees more problems ahead. COURTESY: NBC's "Today" show ((mandatory on-air credit))
<<CUT …158 (12/18/09)>> 00:06 "it's not over"
David Goldman
David Goldman, who is trying to regain custody of his son in Brazil, says the saga goes on. COURTESY: NBC's "Today" show ((mandatory on-air credit))
<<CUT …079 (12/18/09)>> 00:09 "very tragic situation"
Mark DeAngelis
Mark DeAngelis, who heads the Bring Sean Home Foundation, says he feels very badly for David Goldman.
<<APPHOTO RIO111 (12/18/09)>>
: Sergio Tostes, attorney of the Bianchi family, displays an undated picture of Sean Goldman during a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. U.S. David Goldman is fighting for custody of Sean, his 9-year-old son, and has asked Brazil's attorney general to join his battle before the nation's Supreme Court. Sean was taken to Brazil in 2004 by his then-wife Bruna Bianchi, who divorced Goldman and remarried before dying while giving birth to a daughter in 2008.
<<APPHOTO RIO105 (12/18/09)>>
: David Goldman, of New Jersey, shows the press a letter he says he wrote to his son and was returned to sender in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. Goldman is fighting for custody of his 9-year-old son and has asked Brazil's attorney general to join his battle before the nation's Supreme Court. Goldman's son Sean was taken to Brazil in 2004 by his then-wife Bruna Bianchi, who divorced Goldman and remarried before dying while giving birth to a daughter in 2008.
<<APPHOTO XFD104 (12/17/09)>>
: U.S. David Goldman talks to members of the media in Rio de Janeiro, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009. Goldman, a father who is having a legal fight to regain custody of his 9-year-old son living in Brazil with his grandparents after his Brazilian mother died, hopes to bring the boy to New Jersey in time for Christmas. Brazil's Supreme Court on Thursday delayed the return of the boy to his father.
