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Timeline: A mother’s decision to kidnap her son

This is how the events have unfolded.

Marcelle Guimaraes' decision to kidnap and keep her child in Brazil, against a Harris County court's order, has sparked an international battle between the boy's father, Chris Brann, who is fighting to get his son back to Houston, and Marcelle, who claims she's risking everything to protect herself and her child.

This is how the events have unfolded.

Read more: Fugitive mom breaks silence on son's kidnapping: 'I was in a situation of life and death'

Feb. 14, 2008 — Chris Brann and Marcelle Guimaraes marry.

Sept. 14, 2009 — Nico Brann, son of Chris and Marcelle, is born.

February 2012 — Marcelle asks Chris to move out.

Sept. 17, 2012 — Marcelle files for divorce and joint custody of Nico.

Oct. 18 to Nov. 21, 2012 — Marcelle and Nico travel to Brazil with a Harris County court's permission.

Dec. 17, 2012 — Marcelle amends her petition for divorce. She claims Chris abused her and has a sex addiction. Marcelle asks for sole custody of Nico.

Dec. 20, 2012 — Chris files a counter petition asking for sole custody of Nico.

Dec. 21, 2012 — Both Marcelle and Chris agree to joint custody of their son.

April 2, 2013 — Documents show Nico is enrolled in a Houston school.

April 8, 2013 — Documents show Nico is enrolled in a school in Brazil.

May 13, 2013 — Documents show Marcelle accepts a job offer in Brazil.

May 21, 2013 — Both Marcelle and Chris sign a travel agreement that allows Marcelle and Nico to travel to Brazil for her brother's wedding.

Credit: Courtesy of Marcelle Guimaraes
Marcelle and Nico.

July 1, 2013 — Marcelle leaves for Brazil with Nico.

July 6, 2013 — Marcelle and Nico attend her brother's wedding.

July 10, 2013 — Marcelle files for custody of Nico in a state court in Brazil.

July 20, 2013 — Marcelle is scheduled to return from Brazil with Nico, but she never does.

July 22, 2013 — Marcelle is granted custody of Nico by a court in Brazil.

Aug. 4, 2013 — Chris learns Marcelle and Nico are staying in Brazil permanently. Since Aug. 4, 2013 to today, Chris has made more than 20 trips to Brazil.

July 2015 — A Brazilian federal court rules Nico was illegally abducted, but refuses to return him to the U.S., citing Nico is acclimated to the environment in Brazil.

Feb. 7, 2018 — Authorities arrest Carlos and Jemima Guimaraes, Marcelle's parents, at Miami International Airport after landing on a flight from Brazil. They were heading to another grandson's birthday party in Houston.

Feb. 21, 2018 — A federal grand jury returns a two-count indictment for international parental kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap against Carlos and Jemima. Marcelle is also indicted.

May 25, 2018 — A jury finds Carlos and Jemima Guimaraes guilty of kidnapping. That same jury finds them not guilty of conspiracy to kidnap.

Dec. 12, 2018 — A federal judge sentenced Carlos Guimaraes to three months in prison and Jemima Guimaraes to one month in prison. The judge ordered both to serve one year probation following their release during which time they cannot leave the U.S. The judge also ordered the couple not to have any contact with their daughter, Marcelle, although the judge did allow them to have contact with their grandson, Nico. Both were ordered to pay a $75,000 fine to the U.S. government.

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Read more about this story

Fugitive mom breaks silence about son's kidnapping: 'I was in a situation of life and death'

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Charges filed in international custody battle

Brazilian couple indicted for helping daughter take son

Lawyer files motion asking judge to throw out international kidnapping case

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