Jenny VanDeSande's Web Site

   Children Kidnapped

From: Sue Sovsky

My family and my daughter in particular need your help.

My daughter, Jennifer, is 27 years old and married a Belgium resident about 6 years ago. They first lived here in Illinois for a year or so and their daughter was born here. Her husband, Davy, convinced my daughter and granddaughter to move back to Belgium, promising they would move back to the United States after he completed college in Belgium. While in Belgium my Daughter gave birth to their son.

Life for my daughter and granddaughter in Belgium was a nightmare. Davy beat my daughter every time she brought up coming home to the usa, often choking, slapping, kicking and shoving her violently. He also abusively spanked my granddaughter for wetting her bed or for getting out of bed.

Davy also verbally abused my daughter in front of the kids, every day calling her a cunt, bitch and useless. He also encouraged the kids-- in Belgium--to verbally abuse their mom.
Jennifer went to the Belgium authorities but they refused to help her because her injuries were not extensive enough. Also, Davy's family is well liked in their small community. The community apparently was not aware of Davy's abusive behavior.

In 2005, Davy and Jennifer came to Illinois with the kids to attend my son's wedding. My husband and I noticed and witnessed the abuse and convinced Jennifer and the kids not to return to Belgium with Davy. He threatened to kill her and the kids when they refused to go back with him. He went back to Belgium alone.

Davy tried to force the USA to return the kids to Belgium but the federal court eventually refused to order their return. Attached is the court's decision. However, Davy fraudulently convinced the court to allow him to take the kids back to Belgium on a limited basis and with supervision. He promised to return the kids in August 2006.

He intentionally deceived the court and all others in the US as to his true intentions. As soon as he got back to Belgium with the kids, he had a Belgium court award him permanent custody, not informing the court about his promise to return the kids and obviously failing to disclose the abusive conduct which caused the US courts not to order the kids return in the first place.
In refusing to return the kids, Davy is a child kidnapper under Illinois and federal law, and the kids are in danger of being further verbally and physically abused. He is already telling the kids that they will never see Jennifer again and will never go back to the USA.
Our lawyer, Larry Rosen, Chicago Illinois 312-641-5444 is working very hard to have Davy extradited back to the US but there are many substantial hurdles. Even if the US courts order Davy's imprisonment, the US State Department has to be convinced to ask the Belgium authorities to extradite Davy. Belgium could also refuse to do so despite the US' request. Also, we have to take additional steps in Belgium to get the kids back here with their mom, where they belong and will be safe.

Unfortunately, we have limited resources, financial and otherwise.
If you have any questions or can offer assistance, please contact our lawyer Larry Rosen.

    I met a man from Belgium when I was 17. His name is David VanDeSande. We dated and were married in November of 1999. We were married in the United States and soon after had our first child, a beautiful baby girl whom we named Kaitlynn. David decided to go back to college five months after Kaitlynn was born. He felt the best opportunity for him to complete his degree was in Belgium. He convinced me to move to his country to live while he finish two years of college. Two years somehow turned into four years, and still he didn’t have a degree. I feel this is where my story truly begins. I had difficulty holding a job because I didn’t know the language very well. It was even harder to connect with David’s family and make friends. Our son Brandon was born during this time and things took a turn for the worst. David changed. While he was still a loving father, his mental and physical abuse towards me began. I begged my husband to take us home and he confessed that he never planned on moving back to the United States.

In October of 2004 we all came home for my brother’s wedding. He was angry the whole time.  At the wedding, we had some words and he struck me.  It was then that I knew my marriage was over and that the only safe place for my children and myself was in the United States.  I had a sense of hope that I could start over and give my children a better life.

I have been fighting a custody battle with David for the past year.  I have put everything I have into this fight, but the expenses are overpowering. After over $25,000 in lawyer fees and court costs the battle continues.  Watching your children grow and learn is a gift every women should be able to enjoy. The joy my children bring to my life is immeasurable.   My life is complete with the love my children give to me. Please find it in your hearts to donate to our cause and help give my children the life they deserve.