Clinton hails reunion of U.S. boy, father in five years

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton welcomed the reunion of a U.S. boy and his father in Brazil on Thursday, saying she was "thrilled" that the two were spending their first holiday season together in five years.

Clinton, in a statement, thanked those who helped with the reunion of nine-year-old Sean Goldman and his father David. She also thanked the Brazilian authorities.

Sean was reunited with his father earlier in the day. Being separated since 2004, Sean was taken to Brazil by his mother Bruna Bianchi for what was supposed to be a two-week holiday.

However, Bianchi divorced Goldman and remarried a prominent lawyer in Brazil. After Bianchi died last year in childbirth, her Brazilian husband won temporary custody of Sean.

Goldman has been trying to get his son back, and his efforts attracted considerable media attention in the United States, especially in his home state New Jersey.

U.S. President Barack Obama even brought up the matter with his Brazilian counterpart, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva. Clinton had spoken publicly for Sean's return.

Sean's Brazilian families gave up the legal fight after the Brazilian Supreme Court supported Goldman's plea Tuesday. Sean was expected to fly back from Rio de Janeiro with his father later in the day.