Brazil Judge: Return Boy to US Dad

Ruling by nation's top justice makes a reunion likely
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Dec 22, 2009 5:55 PM CST
Brazil Judge: Return Boy to US Dad
David Goldman speaks to the Associated Press in Rio de Janeiro Sunday.   (Silvia Izquierdo)

Brazil's chief justice has ruled in favor of an American man seeking to gain custody of his son. Chief Justice Gilmar Mendes' ruling lifts a stay on a federal court's order for Brazilian relatives to hand over the boy. That puts David Goldman a crucial step closer to being reunited with 9-year-old Sean, possibly in time for the holidays.

Lawyers on both sides say there is still a chance for the Brazilian family to appeal, though the chances of success seemed slight. The boy was taken by Goldman's now-deceased ex-wife to her native Brazil in 2004, and Goldman has been fighting to get him back from the boy's stepfather. (More David Goldman stories.)

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