A 10-year-old child has been reunited with the child’s mother after federal authorities say the child was taken out of the United States and transported across multiple countries without court approval, leading to an international parental kidnapping case, as reported by Fox News.

According to federal authorities, Rose Inessa-Ethington, 42, who also goes by Eri, and the individual’s partner, Blue Inessa-Ethington, 32, also known as Carly Ann Crosby, are accused of taking the child without the knowledge or consent of the child’s mother, who shares custody.

Officials say the situation began on March 28, when the child left Utah for what the mother believed was a camping trip to Calgary, Canada. The following day, the group crossed into Canada on foot through the Peace Arch border crossing in Washington state, but did not check into their planned hotel or campsite.

SICK

A biological man claiming to be a transgender woman from Utah took his 10-year-old child and traveled to Cuba without permission. The biological mother had shared custody and was supposed to get the child back after a short trip. Rose Inessa-Ethington and his partner… pic.twitter.com/L5D712uaAA — Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) April 22, 2026

Authorities allege that the trip quickly deviated from its stated purpose. Court documents outline that on March 29, the group traveled from Vancouver to Mexico City, then continued to Mérida before boarding another flight to Havana, Cuba, on April 1. Mexican immigration officials later confirmed the travel route using U.S. passports.

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Investigators say evidence suggests the travel had been planned in advance. According to the federal complaint, authorities found notes during a search of the couple’s residence referencing Spanish language preparation, travel logistics, financial planning, and document arrangements. One of the defendants also withdrew $10,000 in cash shortly before the trip.

The child’s mother last heard from the child on March 28, when the child indicated the group had arrived safely in Canada. The child was expected to return home on April 3 but did not. Authorities state that both adults turned off their phones after March 28, cutting off communication, and the child had no independent means to contact family members.

Family members raised concerns about the child’s well-being during the absence. Court filings indicate that gender-related medical treatment had been a point of dispute during the parents’ divorce, according to statements included in the case.

"I don’t think she ever imagined that Rose could do this until it was too late," said Tess Davis, a lawyer representing the child’s biological mother. "She was worried about never seeing her child again."

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On April 13, a Utah state court granted the mother exclusive custody and ordered the child’s immediate return. Three days later, on April 16, authorities in Cuba located the group. U.S. officials worked with international partners to secure the child’s return, and the child was brought back to the United States on Monday.

The two defendants were deported from Cuba and appeared in federal court in Richmond, Virginia. They are expected to be transferred to Utah, where they face charges of international parental kidnapping.

Federal authorities said the investigation involved coordination between multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel in Havana, and the FBI’s legal attaché office in Mexico City.

"We are grateful to law enforcement for working swiftly to return the child to the biological mother," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak.

"Our priority in every parental kidnapping case is the safety and well-being of the child," said FBI Salt Lake City Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls. "This case reflects the strength of partnerships in locating victims, supporting reunification, and ensuring accountability."

Kash Patel also commented on the case, stating that agents and partner agencies "acted quickly and saved a young child who was kidnapped and ended up in Cuba," adding that the child is now "safely home."

FBI and our partners acted quickly and saved a young child who was kidnapped and ended up in Cuba - with the alleged kidnapper parent hoping to transition the child. Excellent work from @FBISaltLakeCity @FBIRichmond and our brilliant CIRG squads who executed brilliantly. The… pic.twitter.com/yZGvhbCepS

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 22, 2026

Prosecutors indicated the case is being handled under the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, a nationwide program launched in 2006 focused on addressing child exploitation and coordinating resources to locate victims and pursue charges.

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