Mother of Two Trapped in Brazil, Unable to Leave

***Message & Appeal From Husband Paul Wisniewski***

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My Wife and two daughters are currently in Brazil against their will and unable to leave.

On the morning of June 1, 2023, my wife and our two daughters, all of whom are US citizens with valid passports, were en route to catch a connecting flight back home after visiting family in Brazil. Their final destination was our boat, currently docked in La Cruz, Mexico.

My wife Diná, along with our daughters Isabella (Bella, 17 years old) and Luna (11 years old), were on their way back from their first visit to their grandmother's in 11 years. They had round-trip tickets, and Diná was carrying a notarized document granting her permission to travel alone since I, the father could not join them. The document, written in both English and Spanish, was intended to ensure they faced no issues upon their return to Mexico.

Upon reaching the immigration checkpoint in São Paulo for their connecting flight to Mexico, where our boat and home are situated, all three of them presented their US passports. While Diná and Luna were permitted to board the flight, Bella was inexplicably denied boarding and informed that she could not leave the country. Consequently, they missed their flight and lost their tickets. The police did not provide Diná with any explanation as to why Bella was flagged.

The authorities merely informed them that Bella, being a minor and considered a Brazilian citizen, was not permitted to leave the country due to a specific law. They were directed to a police officer outside the secure area for further inquiries. However, upon reaching the office, they received no additional information about their situation. Instead, they were told that the father must visit a Brazilian embassy and provide an authorization letter similar to the one Diná had, but written in Portuguese and bearing a Brazilian notary stamp.

Stranded in a foreign country 2,000 miles away from home, Diná, Bella, and Luna found themselves stuck at the airport in a city where they had no acquaintances and no money.

Fortunately, we managed to arrange a flight for them to a city 1,500 miles away, where Diná's mother resides. However, they are now stranded there with no resources. The Brazilian federal police and government have not offered any assistance or contacts to help resolve the situation. We reached out to the US embassy in Brazil for support, but they informed us that they could only provide advice and would not interfere, as it is a matter of Brazilian law.

In summary, Bella, an American citizen with notarized travel authorization from both parents and a US passport, is now being treated as a Brazilian citizen and subjected to Brazilian law. This is despite the fact that she was born in the United States, has not visited Brazil for 11 years, does not possess a valid Brazilian passport, and has never lived in Brazil. It is indeed ironic that a law designed to protect minors and keep them with their legal family members is producing the exact opposite outcome in our case.

Diná has been advised to approach a family court, where a judge can officially approve the authorization document as valid and acceptable. However, this process could potentially take weeks or even months to be completed. In the meantime, our family remains separated, and we are unable to obtain concrete answers regarding when this ordeal will finally be resolved.

Please help to Bring Bella Home!

Paul Wisniewski

(Husband & Father)

*Note, We have increased the amount to $7,500 due to the potential need for legal representation and an increase in financial support due to straightening circumstances.

What $7,500 Is Used For:

You can find out more information About The Family Here:

https://svbellaluna.com/bringbellahome/