A Tampa mom is taking her fight to our nation’s capital to meet with lawmakers in a desperate attempt for help to get her kidnapped son back.
Rachelle Smith’s son Dexter, 4, is with his father Ali Salemy in Lebanon after being taken illegally more than a month ago.
Smith will hop on a plane to Washington, D.C. Tuesday evening to meet with Florida U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson this week.
“I’m just going to be begging them to use every tool they have at their disposal to help with the safe return and prompt return of my son,” Smith said.
Smith said Dexter’s father took him from her home against a court order and then fled to Lebanon to be with family.
She said the father also illegally got a passport for Dexter, who wasn’t supposed to be able to travel out of the country because of that same court order.
“We’re not putting up with this, there’s the line to be drawn. This guy is a fugitive from justice,” said Smith’s attorney Patrick Leduc.
Dexter’s dad is a dual citizen and is considered a fugitive in the U.S. but to the government in Lebanon, he isn’t breaking any laws.
“There’s a light at the end of all this. I will get him back and he will be home,” Smith said.
Smith said she will arrive in DC Tuesday evening.