A custody battle in Utah has escalated into a cross-border abduction case involving a 10-year-old child and allegations tied to possible gender-related medical treatment overseas.
According to federal prosecutors, Rose Inessa-Ethington—identified by NBC Miami as the child’s biological father, though relatives say she transitioned after the child’s birth—and her partner, Blue Inessa-Ethington, told the child’s mother (referred to in court documents as LB) that they were taking the child and their own 3-year-old on a camping trip to Canada in late March.
Authorities say that trip never happened. Instead, the group allegedly crossed into British Columbia on foot, then traveled by air to Mexico City before continuing to Havana, with a stop in Mérida along the way. When they failed to return by April 3, the child’s mother alerted authorities, citing a violation of their shared custody agreement.
An FBI affidavit outlines what investigators describe as significant planning ahead of the trip. This included Rose resigning from her job, Blue withdrawing $10,000 in cash, placing personal items into storage, and compiling materials related to learning Spanish and arranging visas.
Investigators also reported finding documents referencing therapy guidance on gender-affirming care for minors, along with a request for a $10,000 payment. Court filings state there were concerns the child may have been taken to Cuba for gender-related medical procedures prior to puberty—something considered uncommon for minors in the United States. The child is described in court documents as biologically male and identifying as female.
Cuban officials located the group last week. The U.S. government then arranged for the child to be returned on Monday via a government aircraft. Authorities have noted uncertainty about what the couple intended to do in Cuba, particularly since gender-affirming surgeries are not legal there.
The child’s mother has since been granted sole custody. The situation involving the 3-year-old remains unclear. Rose and Blue Inessa-Ethington appeared in federal court in Virginia and are expected to face prosecution in Utah. They are charged with parental kidnapping at the federal level, along with aiding and abetting, and are also facing state charges related to custodial interference.