A Utah couple, Rose Inessa-Ethington, 42, and Blue Inessa-Ethington, 32, have been charged with international parental kidnapping after allegedly taking a 10-year-old child to Cuba without the biological mother’s consent. The child, who identifies as female, was reportedly taken from a planned camping trip in Canada on March 28 and instead traveled through Mexico before arriving in Cuba on April 1. The couple was arrested in Cuba on April 16 with FBI assistance and returned to the U.S. on April 22, where they appeared in federal court in Virginia before being transferred to Utah for further proceedings.
Background and Allegations
The child’s biological mother, who shares custody, believed the trip was a camping excursion to Calgary. However, authorities allege the couple crossed into Canada on foot, then flew to Mexico City and Mérida before reaching Havana. Court documents reveal the couple had prepared extensively, including withdrawing $10,000, obtaining tourist visas, and creating to-do lists for the trip. Family members expressed concerns about the child’s well-being, particularly fears of forced gender reassignment surgery in Cuba.
Legal and Family Context
Rose Inessa-Ethington, the child’s biological father, transitioned to female after the child’s birth. Family members claim the child’s gender identity was influenced by Rose, while the mother opposed the transition. The case has raised questions about custody rights, parental consent, and the legal complexities of international parental abduction.
Ongoing Investigation
Federal prosecutors are pursuing charges under the International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act (IPKCA). The case remains under investigation, with further hearings expected in Utah. The child has been reunited with the biological mother, and authorities are assessing the child’s well-being and legal next steps.