The FBI returned a 10-year-old Utah boy to his mother after he was kidnapped and taken to Cuba by his transgender-identifying father and his family feared the child would undergo transgender procedures, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.  Authorities charged 42 -year-old Inessa-Ethington, who goes by “Rose,” and 32-year-old “Blue” Inessa-Ethington with international parental kidnapping after the gender-confused boy was taken to Cuba. The boy has since been safely returned to his mother. The child, a boy who identifies as a girl, split time with his divorced parents, who share custody in Cache County, Utah. The boy was supposed to go on a camping trip to Canada with his father — a man who identifies as a woman — and his partner, Blue, but instead ended up in Cuba, according to court documents.  Family members told authorities they feared the boy’s father, Rose, intended to force his son to undergo transgender surgery abroad against the mother’s wishes. They feared the boy “was transported to Cuba for gender reassignment surgery prior to puberty,” according to a criminal complaint.  The two kidnappers were deported from Cuba on Monday, and the child was returned home safe to Utah.  FBI Director Kash Patel told The Daily Wire the rescue was another example of the bureau protecting children.  “Each and every day this FBI is stepping up to protect kids in America at levels never seen before – identifying and rescuing 6200 child victims just last year alone,” he said. “This case is no different. We are proud of our agents, Intel analysts, and partners who acted quickly and saved a young child from what could have been a horrific kidnapping. Let it be a message to any criminal actor who would try the same — this FBI will find you, no matter where you try to hide.” Court documents say the group left Utah on March 28, 2026, telling the boy’s mother they were heading to Alberta, Canada.  The child later called and said they had arrived, but the group could not be reached afterward.  On March 29, the group crossed into British Columbia at the Douglas Port of Entry, then flew to Mexico the same day before arriving in Havana, Cuba, on April 1, 2026, according to investigators.  A search of the pair’s residence found a to-do list that included “learn Spanish,” along with travel plans, an intent to withdraw $10,000 in cash, and indications they planned to empty a bank account, according to the FBI.  “Recovered notes include instruction from a mental health therapist located in Washington D.C. including instruction to send the therapist the $10,000.00 and instructions on gender affirming medical care for children,” the criminal complaint says.  On April 13, a Utah judge granted the boy’s mother full custody of the boy and ordered him returned to her. Rose and Blue were located by Cuban authorities on April 16, according to the Justice Department.  Lawyers for the defendants have not been identified. They are expected to be arraigned in Virginia before being transferred to Utah for further proceedings.