Child kidnapped by his father in Piano di Sorrento, a prayer vigil for Ethan on Sunday

Efforts and prayers are intensifying for little Ethan, the six-month-old baby kidnapped by his father in Piano di Sorrento at the end of August and presumably taken to the United States without his mother's consent. The parish priest of the Basilica of San Michele Arcangelo, Father Antonino, has appealed to the entire community of the Sorrento Peninsula, inviting citizens to participate in a prayer vigil for Ethan's return. The meeting will be held on Sunday, September 22nd, at 20:00 PM, at the Basilica of San Michele Arcangelo.

The child's mother, Claudia, has not heard from her son since August 30, when she reported him missing to the police. It is feared that Claudia's ex-partner took the child to the United States. Ethan, born in Cincinnati (Ohio), has just turned seven months old, and his abduction has prompted his mother to initiate the procedures provided for by the Hague Convention for cases of international child abduction.

The appeal of Claudia, a 45 year old originally from Piano di Sorrento, is addressed to the Italian and American authorities so that everything possible is done to bring the child home. In addition to the invitation to the prayer vigil, Don Antonino encouraged the community to support the initiative by joining the Facebook page created by Claudia: “Let’s Bring Ethan Home to His Mom and Brothers”.