Pompano Beach dad, Christopher Dahm, has been embroiled in international custody battle since baby was taken overseas in August of 2010

View more videos at: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].

Kidnapped Pompano Toddler's Mom Detained in UAE

By Janie Campbell
| Sunday, Aug 28, 2011 | Updated 4:38 PM EDT

A mom accused of abducting her toddler from Pompano Beach and fleeing to the United Arab Emirates was detained with her parents as they attempted to leave that country Friday, said the girl's father.

"The FBI told me to be on standby for the next flight out," said Christopher Dahm, "but they also told me not get my hopes up."

Dahm has been working to get his now two-year-old daughter Gabby back since August 2010, when his his ex-wife Leslie Delbecq failed to drop their daughter off at his house as per a joint custody arraingement.

Federal investigators shortly discovered three one-way plane tickets for Delbecq, her mother, and Gabby Dahm to Abu Dhabi, where Delbecq's father works as chief training pilot for national airline Etihad.

After a federal indictment took the unprecedented step of including Delbecq's parents in charges of international parental kidnapping, Interpol issued an arrest warrant this month for all three Delbecqs that prevented them from international travel.

The family were detained and arrested at the Abu Dhabi airport as they attempted to leave the Emirates, Dahm was told by state department officials.

However, the UAE does not have an extradition agreement with the United States, and for now the Delbecqs remain out on bond and in custody of Gabby.

"The FBI...confirmed that they were arrested and quickly bonded out," Dahm said. "The [U.S.] government has been seeking extradition, but it's really in the hands of the Abu Dhabi judge, and we don't know when he'll make that determination.

"I do think that what happened this weekend is going to help me get my daughter back faster...I'm just taking it on a day-by-day basis."

Earlier this month, the desperate father described his emotional state on the one-year anniversary of Gabby's abduction.

"I've been reflecting a lot," he said. "I think about 'what does she look like? How tall is she? What does she like to do? What does she like to eat? Are they taking care of her?' That scares me."

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Mother, grandparents indicted on charges of kidnapping Pompano Beach toddler to Middle East
August 03, 2011|By Linda Trischitta, Sun Sentinel

The U.S. government has indicted the mother and grandparents of Pompano Beach toddler Gabby Dahm for kidnapping her to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 2010. An Interpol alert has also been issued for the adults.

The federal government has indicted the mother and grandparents on a charge of international parental kidnapping of Pompano Beach toddler Gabrielle "Gabby" Dahm in August 2010. The child's father says she was taken to the Middle East.

An Interpol alert has also been issued for the three adults and child.

Christopher Dahm has sought the return of his daughter, who will turn 3 on Dec. 28, from his ex-wife Leslie Delbecq since the child's disappearance last summer. Dahm was awarded sole custody of Gabby by a Broward judge in October.

According to the indictment, on June 21 a grand jury charged that Delbecq, 30; her mother, Jeanine De Riddere, 56; and her father, Philippe Delbecq, 60, took Gabby from this country in violation of U.S. law.

The grandparents have Belgian citizenship and reside with their daughter in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where Philippe Delbecq is a training pilot for Etihad Airways, Dahm said.

If convicted in U.S. federal court, Leslie Delbecq and her parents could face three years in prison.

If they cross an international border, an Interpol "red notice" will alert law enforcement who, according to Interpol's website, "may seek the arrest or provisional arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition."

Calling his former in-laws and ex-wife "international fugitives," Christopher Dahm, a 34-year-old financial consultant, said these developments mean, "We're moving in the right direction."

He said he last spoke with his American-born daughter on Aug. 1, 2010. The child arrived in Abu Dhabi three days later, according to her father.

Dahm married Delbecq, a former language teacher in Fort Lauderdale, after meeting her at the movies. She was born in Michigan, according to her Interpol wanted poster. Their marriage lasted from Sept. 28, 2008, to Jan. 27, 2010.

Delbecq's lawyer, Bijan Parwaresch, said he may be able to provide information about her defense in the future. He would not comment on where she could be or how he may contact her.

The attorney for Jeanine De Riddere could not be reached.

Dahm's next step, his lawyer Douglas Reynolds says, is to continue diplomatic efforts and legal proceedings in the United Arab Emirates to return the child to her father.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

"I've been reflecting a lot," he said. "I think about 'what does she look like? How tall is she? What does she like to do? What does she like to eat? Are they taking care of her?' That scares me."

I think he will most definitely get her back!!!