Eidem v. Eidem

Background

The order concerns enforcement of earlier orders involving the return of the parties’ children to Norway under the Hague Convention. The court had granted Per Magne Eidem’s application for the children’s return in an April 29, 2019 order. On January 3, 2020, the court directed Dana Marie Eidem to sign travel documents needed to carry out that return.

Civil Contempt

The court stated that Dana Marie Eidem had made clear and repeated statements—in written submissions through counsel and on the record before the court—that she refused to comply with and intended to obstruct the April 29, 2019 and January 3, 2020 orders. Based on those statements, the court ordered that she was in civil contempt. Civil contempt is a court finding that a person has not complied with a court order and may involve custody or other measures intended to enforce compliance.

Disposition and Safety Recommendation

Judge Richard J. Sullivan ordered Dana Marie Eidem remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service and Bureau of Prisons pending further order of the court. The order did not change the earlier return orders. Because of suicidal thoughts reflected in statements made immediately before and during the January 6, 2020 conference, the court strongly recommended that the Bureau of Prisons place her on 24-hour suicide watch and provide mental-health treatment while she remained in custody.

Classification

This is a procedural order because it enforces prior court orders through a civil-contempt finding and custody order; it does not decide the underlying Hague Convention return question.