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Subscribe to RSSHoda Kotb tells the story of how one transatlantic flight swept a child from his home in New York, and cut his father completely out of his life. And, even though courts found the mother unfit, a four-year international custody battle has failed to bring his son home. Stolen Memories airs Sunday, April 3rd, at 7pm/6c.
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Learn more about the custody battle for Liam from 'Stolen Memories'
I have so many questions about this case but especially to the Italian government. How can this even happen? If a mother is seen as unfit and the father is "fit" there should be no question about where this child should be placed.
I hope to see the two of you together again. You have done everything right. never give up!
Dear Micheal,
I saw your story, Stolen Memories.
My heart goes out to you, truly.
I have experienced a bit of what you have. I was married to an American and lived overseas for 11 yrs. I don't want to get into the details as there are too many and too painful. I have experienced the horror of finding your child has been taken/stolen, and the horrifying tangled maize of a journey to TRY and get them back. I have so much hatred against government, the law and for idiots that work in the system.
This email is not to evoke those painful memories but to celebrate you, your quest, & success and for the fact that your little boy has an amazing father.
Warm regards,
Tiffany
A heart-breaking show that exposes an under-recognized form of child abuse - parental alienation. Liam belongs with his father. The longer this father and son are kept apart, the greater the tragedy. Let us hope that reason and compassion prevail to reunite Liam with his dad. Learn more about this problem at www.divorcepoison.com.
As a grandmother who watched a father take my granddaughter away from her mom, the alienation continued from when she was 3yrs old to now, almost 17. I sought help and guidance from Dr. Warshak through that year of hearings and custody trial. Although, the courts gave her to her father, his efforts at alienation was not accomplished. I saw the reversal of the alienation Liam's mother tried once he got to be around his son. Seek help, like Dr. Warshak. He was gracious and caring to me and he is interested in welfare of children. God bless all of you going through this, especially Michael. PS My granddaughter is visiting with her mom this week. My daughter moved closer, one state to another, to be closer to her.
Dr? Rich, you missed the point totally. The Italian courts are more in favor of Nationalism than justice. The kid will remain in Italy until he is an adult with his own rights. And you're a Doctor? You couldn't figure the story angle?
Adam of CA.
Dear Michael,
What a sad thing to have happen. I am going through an international custody battle myself and I understand what you have gone through. Your perseverance has given me hope. I am very happy for you.
Best wishes,
Cynthia
Dear Michael,
What a sad thing to have happen. I am going through an international custody battle myself and I understand what you have gone through. Your perseverance has given me hope. I am very happy for you.
Best wishes,
Cynthia.
Ridiculous. The unfortunate part about this story is that this happens to hundreds of parents each year. IT IS such a good thing that father and son have retained SOME form of a relationship. At least Liam knows he is loved, and as he gets old he will truly begin understand all that has happened.
A similar scenario is unfolding right now in my life with my daughter. Please NBC, please listen to my story.
Dear Michael,
My heart goes out to you. I sincerely hope and will pray you get to bring him home. I hope that DATELINE and NBC can also help you. Stay strong for him. It will make a difference in his life. He will remember. I plan to follow your story and share it with everyone I know on Facebook.
God Bless!
Wendy
Hard story to watch... I wish all the best to you and your son and hopefully someday justice will be served.
Michael,
I'm saying a prayer for you, Liam, and your family now. God is bigger than the Italian court system. Liam is very blessed to have a father like you. I teach school and often see children who are not so fortunate. Hopefully soon, you and Liam will be reunited.
OMG! I remember hearing about this story a while ago. And, tuned in thinking Liam had finally been brought back home with his Dad. And, OMG! It's STILL ongoing?? That is INSANE! I don't understand how the U.S. government/State Dept. can't do anything else ... Hopefully this media attention will give it more attention and finally bring an end to this sad story. My heart goes out to the family - but mostly the poor child who has had such a difficult, tumultuous life so far. What an awful mother to put him through this ordeal.
Dear Michael,
My prayers are with you and your son. Hopefully the continued pressure by the media will assist you in your efforts. In my own opinion, the Italian courts have not truly considered the best interest of your son.
Continued prayers,
Eric
Eric,
In between the lines of this story is the conclusion that the Italian courts will favor Nationalism over justice. The kid will remain in Italy until he becomes an adult with his own rights.
Moral of this story: The courts cannot enforce the laws. So how can you expect justice from the courts?
Adam of CA.
I've vacationed in Italy, and spent a lot of money there. This situation is sooo blatantly unjust to this child and father. We needs to start a "Boycott Italian Vacations until Liam is reunited with his father" movement.
I agree with you wend-aghast. I too have vacationed in Italy and love the country, but after seeing this I will think twice about ever stepping foot there again. I also wonder about a mother who would put a child through all of this. That is NOT love! My prayers are with Michael and Liam!
Michael,
One of the few shows that motivated me to comment. Know that every parent in America feels your pain! A battle that will never be given up.
The following celebrities have homes in Italy - maybe just maybe they can place their considerable weight behind Michael and help with the ongoing case and/or financials. The more publicity this case receives the better. Bravo to Dateline and Hoda Kotb for this story. The Italian government should be shamed in front of the entire world for their disgusting and illegal behavior.
Keep up the fight Michael!
George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Sting, Helen Mirren, Richard Branson, Donatella Versace
I just finished watching Dateline April 3, 2011...what is the outcome...Is Liem coming back to America?
Hard story to watch... Terrible that Liam is still not with his Dad... Hopefully someday justice will be served!
I think enough is enough. Someothing needs to be done. Our gocernment needs to get involved and get this resolved. The father clearly is the best parent and just seeing his actions over the years has only proven that his son is his first and foremost priority. The mother does not have to worry about not having a relationship with her son, but the father has had that ripped out of his arms and heart by her! Shame on the ITALIAN GOVERMENT!!!!! Do the right thing for everyone and give the father back his son, afterall, he has full custody! Give that boy back to his family, where he clearly will continue to be given love, and stability.
I think after watching this show that the USA gov. should issue a travel ban warning everyone that the Gov of Italy is corrupt and that their legal system is not to be trusted and that the country is not safe to travel anymore.This is absurd, esp after the young American girl charged with murder over their . It's time that the US let them know that the whole world is watching, to see the out come of this case is for the Father.
Hit them with a warning not to travel there and see what takes place when it hurts their economy, I for one have given up my plans to travel there, please join me.
It is true that the court will not provide justice. Recall that a court that does not enforce the laws can never provide justice.
A boycott of Italy can only work if the U.S. Government enforces it. But remember our U.S. government can't even keep Mexs out of our U.S. Our court system is useless also. Everyone involved in this story was useless. One psychotic woman who ignores all the laws gets her way. Hint! There is no justice in the court system.
Adam of CA.
Unfortunately, cases like this happen right here in the US. Parents don't have to abduct their children...they just have to lie, manipulate and brain wash them into believing their other parent doesn't love them, never loved them, is a bad person, and put one road block after another up preventing the target parent from having a relationship with them.
It's child abuse and it's called Parental Alienation. I've lived it for years now and the judicial system (in Berks County, Reading PA) is useless. They don't explore the facts...they hear a child say they 'hate' the target parent and never find out why. I have 2 daughters who've been ripped from my life even though they live minutes from me.
If Dateline wants to interview me and hear my story, feel free to email me.
Russ,
You make a valid point that is always ignored by the judges: Women lie.
Because women are parasites of men, they are powerless. So these same parasites find their power thru a lifetime of lies. Hundreds of them can be seen in women's prisons thruout the U.S. They were put their by female lawyers who are immune to female tricks that weak men fall for.
Adam of CA.
My Heart and my Prayers go out to Michael and Liam. And Michael, God has and WILL continue to give you the strength, determination, and support that it will take to bring Liam home. I SUPPORT YOU DAD.
What a heart touching story. You could see the pain in his eyes and hear it in his voice. I pray that he is able to get his son returned to him and that the boy is not damaged by all that has happened to him.
Dear Michael,
As a single parent there are no words to minimize your pain and words to celebrate your courage fall short when still you do not have Liam. Darkness is perception and there is a rainbow awaiting you and Liam, he is coming home to you soon, do not lose sight of the faith that carries you, it will prevail.
This is SO an Italian thing. I live in the highest concentration of Catholic's in the North East. With that you get Italians. I also live in the most corrupt State in the North East. What is the Italian Government looking for, a payoff. I'm saying this because it seems that no one has mentioned it.
Kirk,
Mike's story shows that the Italian court will favor Nationalism over justice. But Mexico is far worse. If the fight was in Mexico, Mike would have been put in prison for the lies by his wife.
This story is also about how inept all the legal reps are. One psychotic woman who ignores the law gets her way. There's a big message here, courtsey of Mike's wife. All this proves is that a court which cannot enforce the law will never provide justice. The kid will remain in Italy, until he becomes an adult with his own rights. Sad, but true.
Adam of CA.
I've traveled to Italy and spent plenty of money there.
It is time for a "Boycott Vacations to Italy until the Italian courts get their heads on straight" movement.
Absolutely no excuse for this.