Posted: Monday, February 15th, 2016. 12:06 p.m. CST
By Aaron Humes: Analiz Gutierrez must, for now, give up her child, Nina Barrera Perez, to Guatemalan authorities after the Belize Family Court on Friday determined that the baby was illegally removed last year.
Gutierrez, while severely disappointed with the decision, says it is now “out of her hands,” and she must submit to Guatemalan law including fighting several court cases filed against her. However, while the Guatemalan courts will now decide on custody, the mother has vowed not to give up.
Nina herself will be transferred into the care of the Guatemalan Human Development Department and placed in a foster home, with Analiz Gutierrez continuing to receive supervised visitation, after the court agreed with Ernesto Barrera, Nina’s father, to return his daughter to Guatemala according to the International Child Adoption Act, Chapter 177 of the Laws of Belize, following an all-day hearing.
Gutierrez and Barrera have spoken and while they do not see eye to eye, it appears they will try to reach a civil understanding pending the courts’ decision.
Gutierrez, who had previously expressed fear of returning to Guatemala, says she must and will overcome that fear in support of her daughter. She closed by thanking God, her family and those who have supported her throughout the entire ordeal.
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