Opinion ID: 199138
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to Recognize Acquiescence Defense

Text: 44 Lynn argues that the district court erred in ignoring her other affirmative defense that Whallon had previously acquiesced in Micheli's removal to the United States. See Hague Convention, art. 13(a), 19 I.L.M. at 1502 (return not required where person opposing return establishes that the person . . . having the care of the person of the child . . . had consented to or subsequently acquiesced in the removal). 12 While Whallon does not literally come within these terms as the one having care of the person or child, we assume arguendo that Lynn may make an acquiescence argument, at least in terms of whether the removal was in fact wrongful. Lynn must prove acquiescence by a preponderance of the evidence. 42 U.S.C. 11603(e)(2)(B). Lynn argues that she repeatedly told Whallon that she would eventually be taking Micheli to the United States for her education but that Whallon failed to institute any formal custody proceedings in Mexico until after he had learned that Lynn was planning to remove Micheli. Lynn also points to a note written by Whallon sometime in 1997 in which Whallon purportedly acknowledged that Lynn could relocate with Micheli to the United States as along as Micheli flew back to Mexico during a few holidays each year. 45 We find no acquiescence by Whallon in Micheli's removal here. Whallon's failure to institute formal custody proceedings does not itself constitute acquiescence. Indeed, a similar argument may be turned against Lynn: that her failure to seek a formal custody declaration from the Mexican courts indicates her own acceptance of Whallon's custody rights, including, but not limited to, the right to determine Micheli's place of residence. The 1997 handwritten note on its face does not constitute a waiver by Whallon of his custody rights. The argument also fails to take account of the subsequent period during which time Whallon played an increasingly important role in Micheli's life, and is countered by Whallon's prompt and persistent actions seeking Micheli's return to Mexico following her removal. 13