TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Congress has given final approval to a New Jersey's legislator's bill that seeks to prevent international parental child abductions.

David Goldman, father of Sean Goldman departs after a news conference in the offices of his lawyer on December 29, 2009 in Red Bank, New Jersey. David Goldman recently won a five year custody battle with his late wife's family in Brazil, bringing his son home on Christmas eve. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images)
David Goldman, father of Sean Goldman departs after a news conference in the offices of his lawyer on December 29, 2009 in Red Bank, New Jersey. David Goldman recently won a five year custody battle with his late wife's family in Brazil, bringing his son home on Christmas eve. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images)
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Rep. Chris Smith had pushed for the legislation for nearly five years, after his involvement in the case of Sean Goldman.

Goldman was born in the U.S. but was taken to Brazil at age 4 by his mother, who announced she was staying in Brazil and later divorced husband David Goldman and remarried.

David Goldman spent years in American and Brazilian courts before he finally took Sean home to New Jersey in December 2009.

Smith's legislation will give the State Department more tools to pressure foreign governments to send home abducted American children.

The State Department estimates at least 8,000 American children were abducted between 2008 and 2013.

 

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