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May 1, 2008 9:40 pm US/Eastern
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The Dust Settles, Cuban Girl In Custody Case Talks
Watch Unedited Clips With The Father & Girl In The Video Player
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
A five-year-old girl at the center of an international custody battle in Miami spoke about the ordeal for the first time.
The tug of war was between the girl's father and the foster parents from South Florida who raised her. Now the fighting has ended, and the healing has begun. For the first time, little Elizabeth Izquierdo and her father spoke to the
I-Team's Laurie Stein in an exclusive interview.
Even though Elizabeth was born in Cuba, her mother took her to live in the United States several years ago. However, when her mother was deemed an unfit parent she was sent to live with foster parents in Coral Gables. The foster parents wished to adopt both Elizabeth and her half-brother. She is a little girl who loves princesses, dolls and fairytale movies.
Elizabeth told Laurie Stein, "I want to be a doctor of dogs."
When Elizabeth's father decided he wanted to reclaim his daughter and take her back to Cuba, a long court battle ensued. By most accounts, the case was heartbreaking for all involved. In the end, a judge ruled that Elizabeth's dad would have custody and he could take her back to Cuba in May 2010. It was also agreed that she would see the foster parents and her half-brother every other weekend.
Laurie asked little Elizabeth the question so many viewers have been wondering, "Where would you like to live?"
There was a long pause and finally Elizabeth replied, "Everywhere".
Of course that is not possible. Elizabeth's dad Rafael is determined to eventually take her back to Cuba.
When asked where he would like to reside he explained, "I'm 33 years old and I've been in this country for a year. For me, Cuba. Cuba is my country. Cuba is my mother country, my land. I don't find any logic in having to stay for anything because my daughter is my daughter. I let her come. I'm a father that let my child come. That means I don't have anything against one country or the other, but I do want to be in mine. I was born in Cuba".
Izquierdo said he has been looking for work but with the U.S. economy in difficult times, he has not been able to find a job. He says life here in the United States does not impress him. When Laurie asked why not, he said, "Look, it's a big country. For being a big country, it has big things, big problems, big situations, everything is big."
Izquierdo is in a bit of a catch 22: He wants to leave the United States for Cuba to see the birth of his first son, but he says the United States has given him no guarantee that he will be allowed to come back. He wishes he could leave now, with his daughter.
Elizabeth said her dad talks about Cuba a lot. She often speaks to her eight year old half-sister in Cuba on the telephone. In fact, she speaks of her half-sister Rachel frequently explaining that when Rachel was recently in Miami to visit, she taught the younger Elizabeth to ride a bicycle without training wheels.
The girl said she misses Rachel as well as her mom. When Laurie asked who does the best hairstyles she quickly responded "My dad!" Then just as quickly added "And my mom!" For now, Rafael Izquierdo plays the role of both mom and dad. Every weekday he leaves the Miami home he is renting and walks six blocks to pick up Elizabeth at her school. They hold hands, walking through the streets of Miami, discussing her day. He prepares her meals, helps her change clothes and tucks her in every night.
She says she also misses her foster family and looks forward to spending time with them every other weekend.
CBS4 tried to contact Elizabeth's foster parents, Joe and Maria Cubas, for comment but they were not available.
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