Rose and Blue Inessa-Ethington are facing federal charges of international parental kidnapping after allegedly taking a 10-year-old child to Cuba for gender reassignment surgery against the wishes of the child’s biological mother.

Federal Charges Filed in International Kidnapping

Rose Inessa-Ethington, 42, and Blue Inessa-Ethington are accused of taking Rose’s 10-year-old child and Blue’s three-year-old child to Cuba with the alleged intent of obtaining gender reassignment surgery for the 10-year-old. The couple was arrested after being deported from Cuba.

The Disappearance and Investigation

The situation began after the couple failed to return the child to the biological mother following a planned camping trip to Canada on March 28th. Instead, they traveled to Mexico City and then Havana, prompting the child’s family to contact authorities.

Evidence of Pre-Planning

Investigations revealed detailed preparations for the trip, including ‘to-do’ lists outlining the need to learn Spanish, withdraw $10,000, secure a tourist visa, and deplete their bank accounts. Family members had expressed concerns that the 10-year-old would be coerced into undergoing gender reassignment surgery before puberty.

Concerns About the Child’s Gender Identity

Family members believe the child’s identification as female is largely influenced by Rose, who herself transitioned after the child’s birth. Rose shares custody of the child with the biological mother, and the camping trip was used to evade custody arrangements.

Court Orders and Arrest

A Utah court issued an order on April 13th demanding the immediate return of the 10-year-old to the biological mother and granting her exclusive custody. The couple was located in Cuba three days later and deported back to the United States, where they were arrested.

Background and Fundraising Efforts

A 2021 GoFundMe campaign established by Blue detailed Rose’s commitment to raising her child ‘gender open,’ without imposing traditional gender roles. The post emphasized Rose’s dedication to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for the child.

Rose’s Community Involvement

The fundraiser highlighted Rose’s active role within the LGBTQ+ community in Utah, where she was described as a ‘cornerstone’ organizing events, providing diversity training, and lobbying for legislative changes. This contrasts with the current allegations of manipulation.

Complex Legal and Ethical Issues

The case highlights the complex intersection of parental rights, transgender issues, and international law. The investigation is ongoing, and the outcome of the legal proceedings will have significant implications for all parties involved.