Embattled Cuban Father Wins Sole Custody in 'Elian Gonzalez II' Case
December 3, 2007 at 3:07 pm · Filed under Vox Populi
http://mensnewsdaily.com/2007/12/03/embattled-cuban-father-wins-sole-custody-in-elian.../
Background: In October I partnered with Dr. Ned Holstein and Fathers &
Families in a campaign to protest Florida Department of Children &
Families' actions in the "Elian Gonzalez II" case in Miami. In that
case, Rafael Izquierdo, a fit, loving father, faced numerous obstacles
to reunite with his 6-year-old daughter.
The case pitted Izquierdo against wealthy Cuban-American foster parents
Joe Cubas, a well-known sports agent, and his wife Maria. In 2005 Elena
Perez, Izquierdo's ex, brought the girl to Miami from Cuba. DCF removed
the girl and her half-brother from her mother's custody in 2006, after
an investigation found that the woman's mental illness rendered her an
unfit parent. The girl was placed with the Cubas family, and Izquierdo
came to the US to bring his daughter home.
Rather than allowing Izquierdo to take his girl home, DCF hired 19
lawyers and spent over $250,000 to oppose their reunification, and even
continued to resist after an exhaustive hearing in a Miami court
determined that Izquierdo is a fit and committed father.