Support a Father's Fight to Save His Children

5/19/2024

Dear friends, family, and compassionate supporters,

Our brother, Jonah, is in desperate need of your help.

Just four weeks ago, on April 11, 2024, Jonah arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina from Phoenix, Arizona, with his pregnant Argentinian wife of 9-years and their beloved children, Thomas (4) and Adam (1) – American citizens – to begin a new chapter. The plan was to attempt to open a restaurant, a venture his wife passionately advocated for, and his wife wanted their third child's birth to be in Argentina. Jonah's primary goal, however, was to ensure the happiness of his wife and children, and he hoped his children would benefit from a relationship with their maternal grandparents. Trusting his father-in-law's promise that everything would be ready for them upon arrival, and his wife’s assurance that all would be well, he left his great career as a System’s Engineer, his home, friends, family, car – everything, and agreed to journey to Argentina in good faith that if it didn’t work out, he and his wife mutually agreed that they would promptly return. Unfortunately, this journey quickly turned into a nightmare.

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, Jonah discovered that the house promised by his wife and her family was uninhabitable. It was covered in black mold throughout, lacked a kitchen, wires exposed, floors undone and with moldy cardboard, dangerous smells, most of the lights not working, and was located in a dangerous part of Buenos Aires — a stark contrast to their clean, safe, and comfortable home in the United States where all of the children’s needs were met.

Initially, Jonah’s positive outlook on life led him to attempt to make the best of a bad situation. He wanted to give it time and teach his children to overcome obstacles, turning the cleanup into a fun activity. However, things quickly escalated. Jonah’s father-in-law repeatedly intruded upon them as they worked, harassing, degrading and cursing at him and the children – a volatile environment far from suitable for children. Despite the hostility, Jonah pressed on, all the while encouraging his wife to leave with the children and return to the United States, as they had previously agreed upon; however, she resisted. It had become tragically apparent that his father-in-law intended to separate Jonah from his wife and children, a separation more easily accomplished within Argentina than in the United States where he and his children resided.

Shortly thereafter, in a horrifying turn of events, his wife’s family orchestrated extreme and violent actions to separate the children from their father, and their daughter from her husband. Jonah was ambushed: her father physically assaulted him, her brother issued constant death threats, and they held him hostage within the home with his two children who went to bed hungry because they weren’t allowed to leave – his wife was nowhere to be found. That night, her father called the local police to forcibly remove Jonah’s boys from his arms, with young Thomas screaming for his dad as it happened. The police forced Jonah to sign a document written in Spanish, ignoring his request for an English translation and threatened him with jail if he didn’t comply. Jonah requested to press charges against the family, but the police denied him those rights, despite having shown the police a video of the violent encounter that occurred between the family and Jonah. Reluctantly, he signed and was left stranded on the streets of Argentina. The boys' mother and her family exhibited tremendous negligence, traumatizing Thomas and Adam in their attempt to sever the bond between father and sons.

Jonah immediately sought help at the The US Embassy in Buenos Aires, who advised Jonah to leave the country immediately for his safety. He returned to the United States and is currently staying with family in San Diego whilst we work tirelessly for the children’s safe return home.

Jonah is in a desperate fight to bring his children back home and to resume the life they knew in the United States. We are gravely concerned for Adam and Thomas—their safety, the impact of prolonged trauma, poverty, and environmental instability. The children, US citizens, are trapped in a dangerous part of Buenos Aires, living in the slums with relatives who lack the means to properly care for and support them. Their mother, who was a stay-at-home mom in America, has no way to secure suitable work with adequate pay. Additionally, her parents hold entry-level jobs, making it difficult for them to provide for Adam and Thomas.

These boys came from a good home in Arizona where their father was the sole provider and protector, offering them a stable, safe environment where they could thrive. The children don't speak Spanish, they had never previously met their family in Argentina, and are completely removed from the world they once knew, along with their sudden, heartbreaking separation from their devoted father. Further, Jonah's wife is currently pregnant, and he will miss his son's 2nd birthday, the birth of their child and many other important life events. We cannot overstate the urgency and importance of bringing them back to the United States—their true home.

Jonah needs financial support to cover the costs of:

Significant legal fees and attorneys

Flights to/from U.S. and Argentina and other related travel expenses, such as hotels, for attending numerous trials in Argentina

Assistance under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction – currently pending payment to proceed (U.S. and Argentinian representatives of the Hague Convention have formally elevated this case to Child Abduction).

The Hague Convention: A treaty between nations for the purpose to protect

children from the harmful effects of international abduction by a parent by

encouraging the prompt return of abducted children to their country of habitual

residence, and to organize or secure the effective rights of access to a child

We are asking for your generosity to help Jonah reunite with his children and rebuild his life. Your support will provide him with the resources he needs to navigate this legal and emotional battle to reunite our family. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to restoring Jonah's life and providing stability and safety for his children. As this progresses through the courts, we commit to keeping you fully informed about the total costs associated with this harrowing endeavor.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, support and generosity during this profoundly difficult time.