Opinion ID: 2748473
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Mother's Allegations

Text: In her submissions, testimony, and argument, the mother levies a number of serious allegations against the father. Among other things, she alleges that the father repeatedly raped her, including in the presence of the couple's children. According to the mother, this sexual abuse began while the parties lived together in Haiti in 2007 and continued through 2009, even after she was pregnant. She alleges that the sexual abuse and rapes resumed when they lived together in Canada, beginning in July 2010 and continuing through her most recent rape on September 9, 2013. children within the physical boundaries of their jurisdiction. Given the strong presumption that a child should be returned, many courts, both here and in other countries, have determined that the reception of undertakings best allows for the achievement of the goals set out in the Convention while, at the same time, protecting children from exposure to grave risk of harm. Id. at 219. 3 See Yaman, 730 F.3d at 17 (explaining that the Article 13 exceptions are discretionary and do not require a court to refuse the return remedy if such an exception is shown); Whallon, 230 F.3d at 459 (describing the Article 13(b) exception for grave risk as a narrow exception). -19- It was after this alleged rape that she fled to Boston on September 13, 2013. The mother also alleges that one of the father's twin children, B.M., exhibited sexually aggressive behavior toward his half-sister, M.M. The mother states that this behavior began while the family was living in Haiti and continued when the family was reunited in Canada. She states that both the twins teased and bullied M.M. and R.M., including by biting and scratching M.M. in Haiti. While the family lived in Haiti, the mother alleges, she found B.M. rubbing his penis against M.M.'s genitals. In response, the father whipped B.M. with a belt. Shortly thereafter, after another incident of sexually inappropriate behavior by B.M. toward M.M., the father allegedly told the mother that the behavior was not serious. The mother also alleges that, while the family was living together in Canada in May 2010, she found B.M. and M.M. in the living room with their pants and underwear around their ankles. Once again, the father whipped B.M. with a belt as punishment. The mother argues that in addition to potential physical and sexual harm, M.M. and R.M. would be subjected to corresponding psychological harm if returned to Canada. At trial, the mother offered her own testimony as well as that of her aunt. She also offered the expert testimony of Dr. Eli Newberger, a Massachusetts pediatrician. Dr. Newberger offered his professional opinion that the children would be subject to a grave risk of physical or -20- psychological harm if returned to Canada, on the basis of the mother's assertions of past abuse. The nature and scope of Dr. Newberger's work regarding the case involved (1) reviewing the children's medical records at Boston Medical Center, and (2) a visit to his home office, where he interviewed the mother, her aunt, and both children. Additionally, the mother argues that R.M.'s medical condition cannot be treated adequately in Canada because R.M. is not a Canadian citizen and lacks health insurance in Canada.