U.S. Judge Rules Italian Mother May Return to Italy With 1-Year-Old Son Who Was Abducted Last Year by His Father, Says Quinn & Dworakowski LLP

SANTA ANA, Calif., Feb. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A U.S. federal judge ruled that an Italian mother may return to Italy with her 1-year-old son, who was abducted by his father last year in Italy and secretly taken to the United States.

The ruling Tuesday by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter concludes an emotional case closely watched by the Italian government, media and public. Judge Carter said the mother, Claudia Ciampa, may immediately return to Italy with her son, Ethan.

The father, Eric Howard Nichols, abducted Ethan on August 30, 2024, in Italy and secretly flew him to the United States, falsely stating to the mother that he and the child were at a water park and the zoo. Nichols and Ciampa had ended their romantic relationship a few weeks earlier and agreed to jointly parent the child.

After Ms. Ciampa discovered that Ethan had been taken to the United States, she immediately notified police in Italy. After nearly three months of investigation, the authorities located Mr. Nichols and Ethan in Orange County, California. On November 19, 2024, Ethan was removed from his father by Orange County authorities and reunited with his mother after she arrived from Italy.

Judge Carter listened to four days of testimony in his courtroom before issuing the decision. The case was governed by the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, a multilateral treaty that provides authority for the expeditious physical return of a child who has been removed or retained from the habitual residence, in violation of the custody rights of the left-behind parent.

"This case exemplifies the very conduct the Hague Convention sought to deter—the abduction of a child from their home country by a parent seeking a more sympathetic court," Judge Carter wrote in a 50-page ruling. "Father took a breastfeeding infant across international borders, believing that his American citizenship would grant him a more favorable forum. Meanwhile, Ms. Ciampa endured 82 days of heart wrenching separation from Baby Ethan. This Court will not serve as a refuge for such actions."

Ms. Ciampa and Ethan have been forced to stay in the United States for the past three months as U.S. authorities held both of their passports until the matter was resolved. Judge Carter ordered the authorities to immediately return both passports to Ms. Ciampa.

"I am overjoyed that Ethan will be returning home with me to Italy. This has been the most difficult experience of my life and I cannot wait to get home and celebrate with our family," said Ms. Ciampa, who lives in Piano di Sorrento, Italy. She was forced to leave behind two other children, ages 9 and 11, with her family while she dealt with the custody issue in the United States.

The mother's attorneys, Stephane Quinn and David Dworakowski of the firm Quinn & Dworakowski, argued at trial that Ethan's home was in Italy and the father violated international law by abducting the boy and secretly moving with him to the United States.

"We are grateful to the Court for hearing the evidence and deciding that Ethan belongs in Italy with his mother," Mr. Dworakowski said. "This was clearly an unlawful abduction of a child in violation of international law as set forth by the Hague Abduction Convention."

Dworakowski said international custody cases are increasing as the world becomes smaller due to technology, ease of travel and remote work opportunities. The firm, Quinn & Dworakowski, are experts in international custody cases.

Ms. Ciampa intends to seek permanent custody of Ethan in the Italian courts. During the trial, Mr. Nichols testified he was reluctant to return to Italy because he faces criminal prosecution for the allegedly unlawful taking of Ethan.

Ms. Ciampa said she was grateful to the Italian people, who have been extremely supportive of her throughout this 6-month ordeal. The Italian ambassador to the United States followed the case closely, and a representative of the Italian consulate monitored the Hague custody trial in Carter's courtroom.

A GoFundMe account was launched to help Ms. Ciampa with legal and living expenses while in the United States. Those expenses reached tens of thousands of dollars.

"To everyone who has supported me, thank you. Your words of encouragement and love have meant the world to me, and helped me through a very difficult time," Ms. Ciampa said. "Now I can finally share these beautiful words with you: Ethan is coming home."

About Quinn & Dworakowski LLP: Quinn & Dworakowski is the premier family law firm in Orange County and has successfully tried hundreds of cases, including complex custody issues, intricate business/financial matters involving forensic accounting and business valuation issues. The firm has the experience and the expertise to help its clients gain every possible advantage in the courtroom. To learn more, visit OrangeCountyFamilyLaw.com.

Media contact: Stuart Pfeifer
(310) 415-6955
[email protected] 

SOURCE Quinn & Dworakowski LLP