The child, a boy, was 1 at the date of the alleged wrongful removal. The parents were married. The child lived in the United States until November 1991. He then moved with his parents to Germany.
From February 1992 the mother wanted to return to the United States but the father would not let her. The mother eventually left with the boy in September 1992. On 29 March 1993 a return petition was filed with the United States State Department.
On 9 July 1993 the petition was filed with the District Court.
