Domestic Relations-Hague Convention-Return of Children-Mature Child Defense

Staff Report//March 11, 2026//

Staff Report//March 11, 2026//

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Defendant appealed the order requiring the return of the parties’ children. In her response to plaintiff’s petition, defendant asserted a “mature child” defense, requesting the children be interviewed in camera or by a forensic psychologist to determine if they objected to being returned. The district court did not address defendant’s request before granting the petition for the children’s return.

Where the district court should have first addressed defendant’s interview request to establish a mature child defense, the court vacated the order for return.

Judgment is vacated and remanded.

Armand v. Armand (MLW No. 84452/Case No. 25-1998 – 3 pages) (U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit, per curiam) Appealed from U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri.

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