Aunt Fights for Nephew after Mom's Death
"Hague Mothers" Help Fight for Boy
Narkis was found dead in October shortly after a federal district judge ordered her young son, Bradley, be returned to his abusive father in Italy. Her sister, Morin, has fought ever since to keep him with her in New York.
A previous News & Views column: “Mom Who Said ‘Many Women End Up Dead’ Has Died” gives details of Narkis’ story.
In brief, Narkis left her abusive ex in Italy and returned to her home in New York 5 years ago. Her ex filed a case under the “Hague Convention”, which is international law governing custody cases.
HAGUE CONVENTION
A N.Y. federal district court judge ordered Bradley be sent back to Italy on the grounds it was his place of “habitual residence”, even though he has been in New York for 5 years and there was clear evidence his father was abusive.
Narkis appealed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court where it was remanded back to the district court. Not surprisingly, the same judge again ordered Bradley be taken back to Italy.
Shortly after that, Narkis was found dead in her home, the cause of death unclear. Morin has fought ever since to keep Bradley in the U.S. with her. She and her supporters are asking for everyone to call Governor Hochul to intervene and stop Bradley from being taken away from her to Italy. [See below.]
HAGUE MOTHERS
An international group known as the Hague Mothers has supported Narkis and are now supporting Morin in trying to keep Bradley safe in New York. They quote the statistic that 75% of Hague cases involve mothers fleeing from domestic violence by the father. That is similar to the percentage of Family Court cases involving abuse by ex-husbands/partners.
The Hague Convention, like Family Court law, has built-in loopholes that judges can—and do—use to return children to abusive fathers. In both, it is up to the judge to decide whether there is enough evidence of abuse and if the child will be at risk.
The loophole language in the Hague Convention is that return of the child to the abusive parent is not required unless s/he poses a grave risk. Lots of wiggle room there.
Article 13(b) of the Hague Convention provides that return is not required if there is a grave risk that his or her return would expose the child to physical or psychological harm or otherwise place the child in an intolerable situation.
HAGUE MOTHERS CONFERENCE & BOOK
Hague Mothers have put out a video of their conference where mothers are speaking out about their cases: Hague Mothers: Injustice to Activism.
A new book by a Hague Mother, The Loving Abductor, has been recently published. It is the story of a British mother who fought to keep her child from being returned to the father in the south of France.
A new documentary is underway exposing the harm being done to Hague Mothers and their children. It will be highlighting Narkis’ case. Watch this page for more info. If you have a Hague case, email womenscoalitionintl@gmail.com and it will be passed on to the producer.
LAW: NOT THE PROBLEM
Unfortunately, the problem is not essentially the Convention or Family Court law. It is the agenda, which is the same internationally as it is nationally. Judges will continue to maintain men’s entitlement in the family as long as they have the power to decide custody.
This nearly-absolute power must be removed from judges. Only juries of our peers should be able to look at evidence and decide if it is more likely than not the abuse has occurred; and, if so, the child be protected.
Join Women’s Coalition International where we are uniting as Women to fight the Systemic Sexism causing us to lose and be unable to protect our children.
CALL GOVERNOR HOCHUL
If you want to help Morin keep Little Bradley with her in New York, call Governor Kathy Hochul (pronounced: Hokel).
Her number is: 518-474-8390. At the first menu, press 3. At the second menu, press 1.
You may leave a message to the effect of:
Governor Hochul, I am with The Women’s Coalition and we are asking you to please help keep Little Bradley Golan in New York with his aunt where he is safe. Thank you.
You may also support the Coalition’s work through a one-time or recurring contribution through PayPal:
Join The Women’s Coalition:
Join the global dialogue on social media:
I hope Governor Hochul helps Bradley. He is suffering the tragic loss of his mother. This six-year-old has lived in New York for most of his life. Staying with his loving and protective mother was in his best interests. Now, staying with his loving, protective and familiar aunt is in his best interests. Returning Bradley to his abusive father is dangerous.
Family court judges violate the rights of women and children. Bradley was ordered to live with his father in Italy. He was born in Italy. The courts call it his habitual residence. Kelly Rutherford's children were ordered to live with their father in Monaco. Her children were born in the United States. This is their habitual residence. Male entitlement is maintained in family court.
Family court judges are empowered to give child custody to fathers. These judges have no accountability. Juries need to decide custody.
This governor is being asked about Nikki Addimondo release from prison after her partner abused her she defended and saved herself. Court reform needs to be done to abolish patriarchal and good ol boys immediately.