Otto has been located-please help bring him home!

Our dear friends Jose and Amy are living a nightmare and we really need your help.

On March 8th, Jose received a call from the school saying that his son was not at school that day. For years, Jose has amicably shared custody of his 10 year old son, Otto, with Otto’s mom. Otto is the love of his dad’s (Jose) and stepmom’s (Amy) lives. Jose and Amy were scheduled to pick Otto up from school that day.

Concerned that Otto or his mom may not be well, Jose tried feverishly to reach either of them to make sure they were okay.

Then the nightmare began.

Otto’s mom has taken Otto to Brazil, with no discussion , nevermind permission, with Jose, with what seems no intentions to return. So much so that in less than a week, Otto has been enrolled in school in Brazil.

Jose and Amy had no knowledge of this “trip”, which is truly an abduction.

They want nothing more than to know that Otto is safe, loved, cared for, and brought back HOME.

His family and friends miss him dearly. And we are worried for his well being.

International abduction can be a traumatic, and despairingly slow process to return the child to their home.

Jose and Amy are committed parents and will do anything and everything to ensure Otto’s safety and happiness.

This is where we ask for your help.

Significant Lawyer bills have already started. Flights, accommodation, legal fees, absences from work, etc are all going to add up quickly.

We humbly ask for any contribution to help take this one stress off our friends plates as they deal with this horrific situation, so that they may focus on the only thing that really matters, getting Otto home.

UPDATED: April 19

OTTO IS MISSING!

After a Brazilian court ordered the return of Otto to his home in Canada this past Monday (April 17th), Jose and Amy flew to Brazil in anticipation of finally bringing Otto home!

Sadly, these court orders were ignored, appealed and declined.

The local courts and police department have really worked to facilitate the least traumatic handover by offering additional dates/times for the handover of this sweet boy.

Unfortunately, those dates have also been ignored.

At this point, we do not know where Otto and his current guardians are, and they are not reachable/responsive.

The courts and the local police have issued a warrant and are working diligently to find Otto so he may come home.

UPDATE: June 13

Jose and Amy are so thankful for the love and support that they have received thus far! The battle continues…

Most importantly, the federal police were successful in locating Otto!

The goal is now to get Otto back home to Canada. It’s hard to believe he was abducted over 3.5 months ago.

Otto’s father, Jose, has been granted temporary custody while the courts work through continuous appeals, stalling this process. Unfortunately these ongoing appeals require Otto to remain in Brazil.

The courts in Brazil work very differently than here in Canada, and despite the Chasing Order and ruling from Canada that Otto needs to be returned to Canada immediately, Brazil courts are ultimately requiring a lengthy and expensive trial.

Thankfully, Jose and Otto are together. And safe.

Unbelievably, Jose and Amy have spent over $90,000 in efforts to bring Otto home. And he’s not even home yet!

They will keep pushing and fighting, with Otto's best interest at the heart of this battle, in court to ensure Otto returns home as soon as possible!

Thank you again for your ongoing support! It means the world to this family.