A “transgender” father and his partner allegedly kidnapped his 10-year-old son and took him to Cuba where they planned to force the child to undergo so-called “gender reassignment” surgery.
Biological male Rose Inessa-Ethington (real name Eri Ethington), 42, and Blue Inessa-Ethington (Carly Ann Crosby), 32, both of Cache County, Utah, were deported from Cuba on Monday with the assistance of the FBI, the US Attorney’s Office said.
The pair are now in federal custody after being charged with international parental kidnapping after allegedly skipping out on a camping trip to Canada with the 10-year-old and Crosby’s three-year-old child and travelling to Havana instead without the knowledge of the biological mother, Eri’s ex-wife, who shares custody.
According to court documents the boy was supposed to be returned to his mother on April 3 after the five-day camping trip in accordance with a court-ordered custody agreement, but by that time the group had already flown to Cuba via Vancouver and Mexico City.
The 10-year-old’s family then raised concerns with for his wellbeing, as he “identifies as a female child, which is largely believed to be due to manipulation by [Eri Ethington]”, according to court documents.
The court documents state that Eri “transitioned from male to female”, and that a search of his residence located notes “including instruction to send the therapist $10,000 and instructions on gender affirming (sic) medical care for children”.
“Concerns existed that the child was transported to Cuba for gender reassignment surgery prior to puberty. On April 13, 2026, a Utah State Court ordered the 10-year-old to be returned to the child’s mother immediately and granted the mother exclusive custody of the child,” the US Attorney’s Office said.
Cuban police then located the group on April 16.
“We are grateful to law enforcement for working swiftly to return the child to the biological mother,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah.
“Our priority in every parental kidnapping case is the safety and well-being of the child,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI.
“This case reflects the strength of partnerships in locating victims, supporting reunification, and ensuring accountability.”
Eri started an online fundraiser five years ago titled “Help a Trans Mother Keep Custody of Her Child”, and raised $9,766.
Header image: Left, Eri Ethington and Carly Ann Crosby (Facebook). Right, Eri Ethington (GoFundMe).
