Moreno v Mahdi (ED Virginia 1996)
         Civil Action No 96-19-A
         =================================================================

                    IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
                            EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
                                Alexandria Division

                                                                      FILED
                                                                29 Mar 1996


         Petitioner:  Aida Ramos Moreno               Civil Action
                                                      No 96-19-A
         v.

         Respondent:  Stanley Abdalrafi Mahdi


         ORDER

         The Court has reviewed petitioner's Petition for Return of Child
         to the Petitioner. The petition is filed pursuant to the
         Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction,
         signed at the Hague on 25 October 1980, and also pursuant to the
         International Child Abduction Remedies Act, 42 U.S.C.  11601 et
         seq.

         Petitioner asserts that the child was in the habitual residence of
         Panama prior to his removal from that country, that the removal
         and retention of the child was "wrongful" within the meaning of
         the convention, and that the child is currently residing with
         respondent within the Eastern District of Virginia. Petitioner
         alleges that the child was born on July 2, 1994, was taken by
         respondent from Panama on March 20, 1995, and has not been
         returned despite repeated requests from the petitioner.

         The Court finds petitioner's assertions to be true and accurate.
         Respondent appeared in Court and did not contest the accuracy of
         these facts, nor did he provide any articulate reason for
         objecting to petitioner request.  Respondent similarly failed to
         argue that return of the child should be blocked by any of the
         exception clauses listed in 42 U.S.C. 11603.

         We further find that respondent was served with copies of the
         pleadings and filings in this case, and that he is of sufficient
         education to recognize the import of those pleadings. While
         respondent appeared Pro se, he had been provided ample time to
         retain counsel and had in fact consulted a lawyer prior to
         argument.

         The Court holds that this Order in no way constitutes a ruling on
         custody of the child or matters related to final custody within
         the meaning of Article 19 of the Convention.

         For these reasons, it is hereby

         ORDERED that, pursuant to The Convention on the Civil Aspects of
         International Child Abduction and/or the International Child
         Abduction Remedies Act, 42 U.S.C.  11601 et seq., that the
         minor, RASHID MAHDI RAMOS be returned to the company of this
         mother, AIDA RAMOS MORENO by 3:00 PM on Friday, March 29, 1996 at
         the U.S. District Courthouse for the Eastern District of Virginia
         (Alexandria Division), 401 Courthouse Square, Alexandria, VA,
         22314-5799, and it is further

         ORDERED that respondent at that time produce the child's passport
         as well as the "military identification card" originally issued to
         petitioner on behalf of the child and at the respondent's request,
         and it is further

         ORDERED that respondent reimburse petitioner, through her counsel,
         for $1,386 84 of expenses and $1000.00 in attorneys fees arising
         directly from this matter. Respondent shall be given six months to
         pay the total of S2,386.84, with good faith monthly payments to
         commence on May 1, 1996.

         The Clerk is directed to forward copies of this Order to counsel
         of record and to respondent at 4776 Kelly Road, Dale City,
         Virginia 22193.

         Entered this 29th day of March, 1996.

         /s/ Leonie M. Brinkema
         _______________________________
         Leonie M. Brinkema
         United States District Judge
         Alexandria, Virginia