Opinion ID: 818057
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Abduction of Patrick's Daughter

Text: Appellant Lisandro Patrick and Appellee Noelia Rivera-Lopez are the biological parents of L.N.R., a girl born in Puerto Rico in 2009. For purposes of this appeal, it is uncontested that before L.N.R.'s birth, Patrick signed an affidavit acknowledging paternity. Nevertheless, L.N.R.'s birth certificate does not list a father. Patrick and Rivera were unmarried when L.N.R. was born, but they married in Puerto Rico in June 2010. -2- Patrick and Rivera agreed that after the marriage, Patrick would move to the United Kingdom and that Rivera would follow with her children (L.N.R. and a child from another father) as soon as Patrick could set up the family home and earn enough money to pay for the family's travel. In January 2011, Rivera and her children moved to the United Kingdom, where they stayed with Patrick. L.N.R. made friends and attended various play groups there, and the family received medical care from England's National Health Service, as well as other public benefits. Patrick and Rivera applied for a Residence Card for L.N.R. in June 2011. In March 2012, Rivera absconded to Puerto Rico with her children. When Patrick discovered that Rivera had taken her children to Puerto Rico and did not intend to return to the United Kingdom, he filed a petition for the return of L.N.R. in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, opened for signature Oct. 25, 1980, T.I.A.S. No. 11,670, 1343 U.N.T.S. 89 (Hague Convention or Convention), as well as its implementing statute, the International Child Abduction Remedies Act (ICARA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 11601-11610.1 The petition alleged that Rivera wrongfully removed L.N.R. from her habitual residence, the United Kingdom. 1 Patrick did not petition for the return of Rivera's other child because he is not the child's biological father. -3-