10-Year-Old Flown Back From Cuba Amid Gender Identity Custody Dispute

A 10-year-old child from Utah has been returned to the United States after federal authorities sent a government plane to Cuba, ending an intensive international custody dispute. Officials said the child is now back with the biological mother.

The operation began after the child was taken out of the country in late March 2026 by Rose Inessa-Ethington, who is a transgender woman, and her partner, Blue Inessa-Ethington. Both are now facing charges of international parental kidnapping.

Federal prosecutors said the couple first traveled to Canada, describing it a camping trip. They later turned off their phones. Investigators said they flew from Vancouver to Mexico and then to Cuba on April 1.

The search began on April 3, when the child was not returned as planned. The mother filed a missing-person report in Logan, Utah. Police initially treated the case as custodial interference.

Logan City Police Chief Jeff Simmons said his department’s first goal was to address the custody issue. He added that the concerns about possible gender-related medical plans surfaced later.

Those concerns came from a family member. However, Sgt. Brandon Bevan said there were no physical evidence of any planned surgery.

Court records show authorities were alerted to fears that the child might be taken to Cuba for gender transition surgery. However, such procedures are not allowed for minors in Cuba.

A Utah judge ordered the child’s return on April 13. Three days later, a federal arrest warrant was issued. Cuban authorities located the group the same day, and they were deported to the United States on April 20.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak confirmed the child has been reunited with the mother. Officials have not reported what happened to a 3-year-old child who was also traveling with the couple.

Investigators said Blue Inessa-Ethington withdrew $10,000 before leaving. Agents also found a note at their home with instructions from a therapist in Washington, D.C., about gender-affirming care, although it did not mention Cuba.

The couple’s lawyers did not respond to requests for comment. They are expected to be sent back to Utah to face charges.

According to NPR, the custody dispute is not new. A fundraiser created five years ago by Blue Inessa-Ethington raised nearly $10,000 to help Rose keep custody of the child.

Family members told investigators the child was assigned male at birth but identifies as a girl. They claimed this was because of “manipulation,” according to an FBI affidavit.

The case is a part of a bigger national debate. The Trump administration has moved to limit access to gender-affirming care for minors. Several states have challenged those efforts in court,

Medical experts said such surgeries are rare among children. Most treatments are handled carefully and on a case-by-case basis