Brazilian Couple Who Kidnapped Grandson From Houston Are Caught

HOUSTON - A couple who authorities said were involved in a scheme to kidnap their grandson from his father in Houston nearly five years ago, were arrested and are charged with conspiracy and international parental kidnapping.

Carlos Otavio Guimaraes, 67, and Jemima Guimaraes, 65, were arrested at Miami International Airport as they arrived on a flight from Brazil on Wednesday morning, and appeared in a Miami federal courtroom Wednesday afternoon.

The couple are the parents of Marcelle Guimaraes, 39, who took her son to attend a family event in Brazil on July 13 2013 and never returned.

Marcelle Guimaraes, who was only recently divored from Houston area internist Dr. Chris Brann when she left, was supposed to return to Houston on July 20, 2013, with the couple’s son, Nico, and return him to his father.

However, Marcelle Guimaraes never returned to the US.

The criminal complaint filed in Houston alleges they and their daughter conspired to illegally retain the child in Brazil.

Marcelle Guimaraes is also charged but not as yet in custody.

As of the filing of the complaint, the child has not returned to the United States.

If convicted, each faces up to five years in federal prison for the conspiracy as well as a maximum of three years if convicted of the kidnapping charge.

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