Somerset mum fights to see her daughter

British Citizen Emma Morris whose originally from Somerset now living in Costa Rica, is the mother of 3 year old Hope, who's father is Juan Phoenix also the dad of Hollywood Actor Juaquin Phoenix.

Emma and Juan split up in April 2012, and Hope's custody is being managed by PANI, the Child Services Ministry of the Costa Rica Government.

In late April, Juan Phoenix took Hope for 9 days without Emma's permission. Emma filed a police complaint and PANI returned Hope to Emma. 

Later, after receiving anonymous phone calls, PANI took Hope from Emma on June 5, 2012, based on hearsay evidence, without proper written notification and without Emma's lawyer or a translator present. 

Temporary custody was granted to Juan Phoenix. Four months later PANI removed Hope from Juan Phoenix to a foster home. The foster parents spoke little English, the only language Hope understands. Emma was granted very limited visiting rights. 

In the 5 plus months between June 5 and November 26, Hope and Emma were together for about 50 hours, less than 10 hours/month. For these 1 hour visits Emma made bus journeys of 4 or 5 hours; visits were often cancelled, with less than 24 hours notice. 

On November 29, 2012, while little Hope was seeing a psychologist, PANI arbitrarily handed Hope over to Liberty Phoenix Lord, daughter of Juan Phoenix, again without proper notification or due process.

This was the last time Emma saw or spoke to her daughter Hope.

Liberty Phoenix lives in Florida USA, so Emma is terrified her little daughter will be taken from Costa Rica before the court can make a decision, and all legal appeals exhausted. 

Liberty took Hope to San Jose, capital of Costa Rica, far from where Emma can visit her easily. Liberty cannot be reached by phone any longer. Emma cannot contact any of the people involved. So Emma cannot speak to Hope by phone and doesn't even know where her little daughter is living. 

Emma has set up a petition to get her daughter back they want the Costa Rica Government to:

1) PANI observes National and International laws governing Hope and Emma. 

2) The Phoenix family steps aside and allows the courts to do their work. 

3) Hope & Emma are allowed frequent and regular visits pending court hearings. 

On January 7th 2013 Emma is back in Court with new evidence in the hope that it will bring her daughter back.

Sign the petition below: 

www.change.org/petitions/pani-costa-rica-and-the-phoenix-family-reunite-emma-morris-and-daughter-hope-allow-due-process-in-the-courts