U.S. court gives the grandmother the right to visit Sean

02/23/2013 - 10h30

The maternal grandmother of Sean Goldman, 12, the businesswoman Silvana Bianchi, won in American court the right to see her grandson. After an intense court battle, the boy was brought to America by his father, on Christmas Eve 2009. Silvana never saw him again.

In a decision handed down three weeks ago, the Supreme Court of New Jersey upheld the visitation request made by Silvana.

It was the second favorable decision obtained by the boy's grandmother in United States courts. In July last year, the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey had decided that she could continue her fight for the right to see grandson.

At the time, the judges suggested that the grandmother and the boy's father, the American David Goldman, try to reach an agreement for visitation. If they failed, there would be another hearing. The deal did not happen.

Searched out, Ricardo Zamariola, one of the lawyers for Goldman, declined to comment on the decision.

DISPUTE


The dispute over the custody of Sean began in August 2008 when his mother, Bruna, died during the birth of her second daughter, Chiara.

Goldman and Bruna had divorced, and she returned to Brazil with the boy without his father's permission.

From there, the maternal grandparents and the American began a dispute over the custody of Sean, which even involved the Brazilian and U.S. governments.

By decision of the Brazilian Supreme Court, Sean, now 12 years old, was brought back to the United States in December 2009.

Translated by DAVE WOLIN