Heartbreaking News – Lins e Silva Defies Federal Court Order

The Federal Court in Brazil issued an order for visitation permitting David to see Sean for the first time in four years. David flew to Brazil for a visit scheduled for Friday 17 Oct at 8:00 PM. The visit was delayed until Saturday but sadly it never happened.

—–Original Message—–
From:
To:
Sent: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 5:31 pm
Subject: Sean
I’m in Rio. It is 6:30 PM and it appears that it is still a go with visitation beginning at 8:00 PM. I have spoken to a U.S. consular officer who will accompany me. My attorney and two court officers will also come. It has been a long travel with a several hour lay over in Sao Paulo. But, I am here now just 20 minutes away from where Sean is supposed to be staying. I am cautiously optimistic. I think it is a very good idea to hold a vigil in Ipanema. Some officials have encouraged that as well, in order to help spread the word in Brazil. I will keep everyone posted as much as I can. It is all so very surreal.

David

—–Original Message—–
From:
To:
Sent: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 6:03 pm
Subject: Re: Sean
I just got a call from my Brazilian counsel. The visitation will not be tonight. We are hoping for tomorrow at 8 AM.

—–Original Message—–
From:
To:
Sent: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 7:02 pm
Subject: Re: Sean
Apparently, Lins e Silva filed an appeal today in the 2nd level court claiming I should have no contact with Sean. He continues to claim that I have abandoned Sean for the last four years. He claims that I do not want anything to do with Sean. He claims that my interest is only $…not Sean. The good thing is that the 2nd level judge of first instance (it’s a 3 judge panel) denied the appeal. He said the claims are unfounded. He said because it is late, it’s raining, there is a lot of traffic, etc., visitation will begin tomorrow at 8 AM. I am encouraged that the Fed level judges have not yielded to Lins e Silva. It’s about time. I will remain cautiously optimistic. -David

—– Forwarded Message —-
From:
To:
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2008 11:43:42 AM
Subject: Re: Sean

We arrived a little before 8 AM to the address filed in State and Federal court by Lins e Silva as Sean’s address. I walked up to the gate outside the condominium with two plain clothed Federal agents, three Fed court officers, one U.S. consular officer and my Brazilian attorney. I waited outside the building while the Fed. court officers and agents presented the order for visitation to the security of the building. They all went into the condominium to meet Lins e Silva and ultimately begin the visitation process for Sean and I. We hoped Lins e Silva would cooperate and handle the delicate situation with compassion for Sean.

I remained outside the gate preparing myself as best I could to finally after four + years to reunite with my son. Twenty minutes later the Fed. agents/officers appeared WITHOUT SEAN.

In the apartment were Bruna’s father, brother, the new baby and some servants. NO SEAN and NO LINS E SILVA. The Fed agents were told that Lins e Silva and Sean went away yesterday and they are not sure where they went. The agents checked the apartment and did not find Sean or Lins e Silva. The security of the building said they don’t think Sean lives in the condo because they don’t see him there all the time. As is becoming the normal the most egregious behavior by Lins e Silva and the Ribeiros keeping Sean and I separated has continued. Actually, now it is worse, because they are disrespecting even a Brazilian Federal Court order and up until now getting away with it The Fed officers will report back to the Fed judge of the events that occurred. It is Saturday morning and I don’t know when the Fed. judge will learn of this morning’s events. I hope Monday the latest. How long can Lins e Silva and the Ribeiro’s continue this blatant disregard of the law? How long can they obstruct justice? Will they ever be held accountable? So once again I’m in Brazil without any contact with my son, while his kidnappers go about their daily lives unscathed. I will not give up. I am not sure how long I will remain in Brazil. I just can not believe that such evil and illegal behavior with complete and flagrant disregard for my son as well as for the Brazilian, U.S. and international law can continue. I will keep everyone posted. I will not give up on my son……EVER!
David