An expected and positive turning point for a story that had kept everyone in suspense.
Little Ethanthe newborn whose disappearance was reported by his mother Claudia Ciampa, originally from Piano di Sorrento (Naples), last August 30th, was found by US police in California where he had been brought by his father. The little boy had been deceived from his mother by her ex-American partner during a holiday in Puglia. The find was made possible after US police pinpointed the location of Eric Howard Nichols. In fact, the police managed to locate the home of the child’s father and the little boy was immediately placed in the custody of the authorities, with the judge issuing the first provision as a matter of urgency. The child will be entrusted to the motherwho after his disappearance had made an appeal to Minister Tajani.
The woman is traveling to Los Angeles to reunite with her child. There will be a hearing in the next few days to discuss the repatriation of the minor to Italy, pursuant to the Hague Convention. To reach a solution to the case, the Italian authorities collaborated with the US authorities.
The child’s mother, having learned the news of the discovery of her seven-month-old son, expressed words of thanks for the authorities who dealt with the matter: “I thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all the other Italian authorities – she said – for the solidarity and for the commitment made for the good of my son and I thank the United States authorities for their prompt intervention”. In recent months the woman had addressed a letter not only to Foreign Minister Tajani, but also to the Pope. Various solidarity demonstrations have been organized in recent weeks in the Sorrento Peninsula, including a torchlight procession with the mayors of the area.
Ethan’s mother’s lawyer: “They succeeded in a desperate undertaking”
The news of the discovery was reported bylawyer Gian Ettore Gassani, president of Ami (Italian matrimonial lawyers association) cwho was assisted by Mrs. Ciampamother of the child, in all procedures for international child abduction as provided for by the Hague Convention.
“This story – he underlines today with satisfaction – has kept an entire nation in suspense. However, I have always cultivated the certainty that sooner or later there would be a happy ending in this story which has once again brought to attention a terrible phenomenon which concerns fathers and mothers. The specific weight of our political and diplomatic authorities has once again been decisive, as do Mrs. Ciampa, Minister Antonio Tajani and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Interior and Justice, as well as the authorities. diplomats in the United States, for having succeeded in an undertaking that seemed hopeless. International child abductions are on the rise.”
“In my opinion – continues the lawyer – given the seriousness of this crime, the penalties should be toughened to create a deterrent. Every year in Italy 250 children are abducted and taken abroad. Currently there are around 527 cases still to be resolved. Now we just have to wait for Mrs. Ciampa to return to her beautiful Piano di Sorrento with the baby in her arms. In a few days – she announces – I will also leave for Los Angeles to resolve all the other issues”.
In what ways can better cooperation between countries help in the prevention and resolution of international child abduction cases in the future?
1. Thematic Section: The Discovery of Little Ethan and its Impact on the Family
Guest 1: Claudia Ciampa, mother of Little Ethan
Guest 2: Eric Howard Nichols, father of Little Ethan
Question: How did you feel when you learned that your child had been found in California, and what were your initial reactions upon hearing the news?
2. Thematic Section: The Role of the Authorities in Locating Little Ethan
Guest 1: Mario, Mayor of Piano di Sorrento
Guest 2: Gian Ettore Gassani, Lawyer for Claudia Ciampa
Question: What steps were taken by the Italian and US authorities to locate Little Ethan, and how did their collaboration contribute to the successful resolution of the case?
3. Thematic Section: The Repatriation Process and Legal Implications
Guest 1: Roberto Tajani, Italian Foreign Minister
Guest 2: Jerry Brown, Governor of California
Question: What challenges did the Hague Convention pose during the repatriation process, and how have the officials ensured that the child’s best interests were prioritized throughout?
4. Thematic Section: The Impact of International Child Abduction on Families
Guest 1: Maria, Chairperson of Amici degli Ammalati di Napoli
Guest 2: Fabio, President of UNICEF Italy
Question: How common is international child abduction, and what efforts are being made to prevent such situations from happening in the future?
5. Concluding Remarks
Guest 1: Claudia Ciampa
Guest 2: Gian Ettore Gassani
Question: Looking to the future, what messages would you like to share with families going through similar circumstances, and how can we work together as a global community to prevent international child abductions?
