New Jersey Mother in Custody Dispute Goes Free After 8 Years in Jail

A southern New Jersey town woman jailed in an international custody dispute has been freed after spending more than eight years behind bars.

The Record reports 49-year-old MarΓ­a Jose Carrascosa left prison Friday night. Her whereabouts were not known Saturday, and her attorney couldn't be reached for comment.

Carrascosa was arrested in 2006 after she defied a court order granting custody of her then 4-year-old daughter to her former husband, and took the child to Spain.

Carrascosa was convicted of willful interference with child custody and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. But a judge ordered her release after her former husband said he would not oppose it if she returns to Spain.

Carrascosa is a native of Spain who lived in Fort Lee before she was jailed.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us