US Dad Wins Custody Battle in Brazil Court

David Goldman is headed to Rio de Janeiro today, hoping to be reunited with his 9-year-old son, Sean, after winning the latest round in his legal battle to regain custody of the boy. A Brazilian federal court has ruled that Sean must be handed over to David, an American citizen living in New Jersey, tomorrow. "He's really happy," his attorney said, "but he is worried about any eventual future decision that could block the boy being handed over to him."

Previous rulings favorable to Goldman have been scuttled by other Brazilian courts. His attorney says he's sure lawyers for Joao Paulo Lins e Silva, the Brazilian stepfather Sean lives with, will appeal this latest decision, too, perhaps taking it to the country's Supreme Court. Sean's maternal grandmother has already filed a petition with the Supreme Court arguing that the boy wants to stay in Brazil, and begging it to let him. For background on the custody battle, click here.
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