The U.S. Attorney's Office in Utah says Rose and Blue Inessa-Ethington face federal charges after allegedly taking a 10-year-old child to Cuba for suspected gender-related medical care. The complaint alleges the child, a biological male who identifies as female, was transported across the U.S.-Canada border on March 29 and flew from Mérida to Havana on April 1. Cuban authorities located the group on April 16 and the child was returned to the biological mother, identified as LB. The couple were deported and arraigned in Virginia on April 21; transfer to Utah is expected.
Utah Couple Charged With International Parental Kidnapping After Alleged Trip To Cuba With 10-Year-Old
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Federal prosecutors say a Utah couple has been charged after allegedly taking a 10-year-old child out of the United States and traveling to Cuba in what investigators believe may have been an attempt to obtain gender-related medical care for the minor.
Allegations and Charges
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah announced that Rose Inessa-Ethington, 42, the child's biological father who now identifies as a transgender woman, and her partner, Blue Inessa-Ethington, 32, are in federal custody and face charges of International Parental Kidnapping and Aiding and Abetting. The accusations are based on a complaint reviewed by PEOPLE and related court records.
Child's Identity and Allegations
According to the complaint, the child is a 10-year-old biological male who identifies as female. The filing expresses concerns that the child may have been taken to Cuba for gender-affirming surgery before the onset of puberty and alleges that Rose manipulated the child. These claims are allegations in court documents and have not been proven in court.
Travel Timeline
- March 28: The group was believed to be traveling by car toward Calgary, Alberta, Canada; the child's biological mother (identified as "LB" in court papers) received a call that day in which the child said they had arrived in Canada.
- March 29: The complaint alleges Rose and Blue crossed the U.S.-Canada border on foot and then flew from Canada to Mexico.
- April 1: The group reportedly flew from Mérida, Mexico, to Havana, Cuba.
- April 16: Cuban authorities located the group in Cuba and returned the child to LB in the United States. Rose and Blue were deported from Cuba.
Investigation Details
Investigators who searched Rose and Blue's residence allegedly found multiple "to-do" lists and notes containing entries such as "learn Spanish" and "empty USU bank." Recovered documents are said to include a reminder to send $10,000 to a therapist (a sum Blue allegedly withdrew on March 26) and instructions related to gender-affirming medical care for minors. Both adults previously worked for the same software company; Rose resigned and Blue did not return to work as scheduled.
Court Actions And Next Steps
A Utah state court ordered on April 13 that the child be returned to LB and granted her exclusive custody. After their deportation from Cuba, Rose and Blue appeared for an arraignment in Richmond, Virginia, on April 21 and are expected to be transferred to Utah for further prosecution. Online records indicate federal public defenders represented the couple in Virginia; records do not yet show assigned counsel in Utah.
Note: The complaint and court records set out the allegations. An indictment is not a conviction; the defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to due process.
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