David Goldman Fights for Son

David Goldman, the New Jersey father at the center of an international custody battle for his son, Sean, who was taken to Brazil by his mother and has never been returned, even after her death, has recently won another round in his legal fight to regain custody of the 9-year-old. Goldman is expected to land in Rio de Janeiro on Dec. 17, 2009, hoping to bring Sean back to the U.S.

David Goldman with his son, Sean Goldman, at age 3 — Family Photo

David Goldman's own attorney warned that additional appeals could block the hand-over of his son, Sean. "I've been down this road for five-and-a-half years," Goldman told CNN in comments aired on Dec. 17, 2009. "Until I'm on the plane with Sean and the wheels are up, I can only be hopeful."

David Goldman with his son, Sean Goldman — Family Photo

Sean Goldman's maternal grandmother has said her grandson wants to stay in Brazil. She has filed a separate petition with the Supreme Court asking that Sean's desires be considered. A similar request from the Brazilian family was denied earlier this year.

Sean Goldman, who has dual citizenship, has been shielded from speaking directly to the news media.

The case began in 2004 when David Goldman's wife, Bruna Bianchi, took Sean, then 4, to her native Brazil. Goldman says it was to be a two-week vacation. But she stayed and so did the boy. She eventually obtained a Brazilian divorce from Goldman and remarried.

David Goldman going fishing with his son, Sean Goldman. — Family Photo

Previous rulings favorable to David Goldman have been scuttled by other Brazilian courts. Goldman's own lawyer said he was certain lawyers for Joao Paulo Lins e Silva, the Brazilian stepfather with whom Sean lives, would appeal the federal court ruling on Dec. 16, 2009, to surrender the boy. Goldman's Lawyer says he doesn't expect a final resolution until at least the first half of 2010.

David Goldman, who lives in Tinton Falls, N.J., was already seeking his son's return under an international treaty that covers cross-border child abductions when his former wife, Bruna Bianch, died in 2008 while giving birth to a daughter. Her death generated more interest in the case, which has been discussed this year by top-level diplomats in Washington and the Brazilian capital, Brasilia.

David Goldman with his son Sean Goldman, aged 4. — Family Photo

David Goldman and his son, Sean, were reunited in February 2009 for the first time since Sean was taken to Brazil by Goldman's then-wife and has never been returned, even after her death. They have not seen each other since June.

David Goldman, the New Jersey father at the center of an international custody battle for his son, Sean, who was taken to Brazil by his mother and has never been returned, even after her death, has recently won another round in his legal fight to regain custody of the 9-year-old. Goldman is expected to land in Rio de Janeiro on Dec. 17, 2009, hoping to bring Sean back to the U.S.

Slideshow - Sean Goldman, — Family Photo

David Goldman's own attorney warned that additional appeals could block the hand-over of his son Sean. "I've been down this road for five-and-a-half years," Goldman told CNN in comments aired Dec. 17, 2009. "Until I'm on the plane with Sean and the wheels are up, I can only be hopeful."

Sean Goldman's maternal grandmother has said her grandson wants to stay in Brazil. She has filed a separate petition with the Supreme Court asking that Sean's desires be considered. A similar request from the Brazilian family was denied earlier this year.

Sean Goldman, who has dual citizenship, has been shielded from speaking directly to the news media.

The case began in 2004 when David Goldman's wife, Bruna Bianchi, took Sean, then 4, to her native Brazil. Goldman says it was to be a two-week vacation. But she stayed and so did the boy. She eventually obtained a Brazilian divorce from Goldman and remarried.

Previous rulings favorable to David Goldman have been scuttled by other Brazilian courts. Goldman's own lawyer said he was certain lawyers for Joao Paulo Lins e Silva, the Brazilian stepfather with whom Sean lives, would appeal the federal court ruling on Dec. 16, 2009, to surrender the boy. Goldman's Lawyer says he doesn't expect a final resolution until at least the first half of 2010.

David Goldman, who lives in Tinton Falls, N.J., was already seeking his son's return under an international treaty that covers cross-border child abductions when his former wife, Bruna Bianch, died in 2008 while giving birth to a daughter. Her death generated more interest in the case, which has been discussed this year by top-level diplomats in Washington and the Brazilian capital, Brasilia.

David Goldman and his son, Sean, were reunited in February 2009 for the first time since Sean was taken to Brazil by Goldman's then-wife and has never been returned, even after her death. They have not seen each other since June.

David Goldman, the New Jersey father at the center of an international custody battle for his son, Sean, who was taken to Brazil by his mother and has never been returned, even after her death, has recently won another round in his legal fight to regain custody of the 9-year-old. Goldman is expected to land in Rio de Janeiro on Dec. 17, 2009, hoping to bring Sean back to the U.S.

David Goldman's own attorney warned that additional appeals could block the hand-over of his son Sean. "I've been down this road for five-and-a-half years," Goldman told CNN in comments aired on Dec. 17, 2009. "Until I'm on the plane with Sean and the wheels are up, I can only be hopeful."

Sean Goldman's maternal grandmother has said her grandson wants to stay in Brazil. She has filed a separate petition with the Supreme Court asking that Sean's desires be considered. A similar request from the Brazilian family was denied earlier this year.

Previous rulings favorable to David Goldman have been scuttled by other Brazilian courts. Goldman's own lawyer said he was certain lawyers for Joao Paulo Lins e Silva, the Brazilian stepfather with whom Sean lives, would appeal the federal court ruling on Dec. 16, 2009, to surrender the boy. Goldman's Lawyer says he doesn't expect a final resolution until at least the first half of 2010.