"We're coming home at last"

A former Neighbours star who has been involved in a public international child custody battle will reportedly return to Australia with her young son by Friday.

According to the Daily Mail, Eliza Szonert with the assistance of a child recovery agency, took her son from the child’s father in a restaurant in Malaysia in early December. A video was released to media outlets of the stressful operation.

Since retrieving her son, Eliza has been stranded in Malaysia, as her ex-husband, Ashley Crick, has refused to release her and her son’s passports. Eliza also spent 24 hours in a Malaysian police cell for refusing to reveal her son’s location.

Eliza has now used a Facebook post to share her latest news:

“we’re coming home at last. After a few months I wouldn’t ever want to relieve, it’s finally all over.” she said, “Thank you everyone for your love, support and assistance during this exhausting ordeal. More than anything I’m just looking forward to getting home and spending time with my son again.”

An operative with the child recovery agency who assisted Eliza retrieve her son, Col Chapman, confirmed the mother and son are returning to Australia via social media:

“Another successful recovery, another successful outcome. Mother, child and extended family all returning to Australia.’

Mr Chapman told Fairfax on Wednesday the pair will return within 48 hours away after the child’s father, Australian businessman and musician Ashley Crick, surrendered their passports.

According to reports from Fairfax Media, extensive legal action has resulted in Col Chapman, Mum Eliza’s family and Dad Ashley’s family are required to accompany Eliza and her son on the flight to Australia.

Col shared via social media that, “every allegation thrown out, disproved or dropped and back to Australia for everyone’ and that ‘Malaysian Police (are) now asking for autographs and selfies.”

Eliza and her ex-husband Ashley have been embroiled in a bitter legal custody battle regarding their son, which does not yet seem to be over. A statement was released about the situation that stated:

“Further action is now in the hands of the lawyers of both parties, aided by the Australian Embassy.”

Image Source: Getty Images

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19 Comments

- - coastalkaryn said
  - 31 Jan 2016
    9:29 pm
gosh what a harrowing time they have had… hope your lives are happy back here in Australia

- - robyn_smithwick said
  - 31 Jan 2016
    3:02 pm
Custody battles can get so nasty! Almost like a person contesting a will even though both solicitors says it is a proper bona fide legal will. Our justice system and mediations are one big fat unfair joke!

- - june11 said
  - 21 Jan 2016
    8:42 pm
I can’t see where it is stated how old the little boy is. Unless the grandparents are living in Malaysia I don’t see why they have to be involved.

- - kozack said
  - 01 Jan 2016
    8:45 pm
just hope the future for their son is one with happiness,that the parents can come to a suitable outcome for all.

- - taynik46 said
  - 01 Jan 2016
    9:13 am
what a terribly sad story – how unfortunate that this family find themselves in this situation.

I hope that they can sort out a resolution in a more amicable fashion, rather than having to put the poor child through a child recovery agency takedown.

I wish them lots of peace and happiness for their future
- mom94125 replied
  
  04 Jan 2016 , 6:05 pm
  yes it is sad that this is all playing out in front of their innocent child.
- - BellaB said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    11:18 pm
This is sad for everyone and must be scary for their son.

- - mom160421 said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    10:14 pm
Wouldn’t it be nice if parents acted in the best interests of the child instead of their own selfish needs?

- - pakeko said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    7:51 pm
Wow I feel for the child in all this, these battles end up hurting the child most

- - Kasey said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    6:19 pm
I feel for the child, custody battles aren’t fun.

- - mom94125 said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    6:15 pm
wow i bet that she was feeling so many emotions! it must have been amazing to pick him up and her adrenalin must have been going crazy!

- - Mummytoabeautifulprincess said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    5:08 pm
I feel for the little boy. He’s the one stuck in the middle of all of this. I hope once they’re back to Australia that she gets to enjoy time with her little man and that paparazzi will leave them alone so they can do that!

- - mom165081 said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    3:30 pm
Custody is so difficult, especially when it is between countries. Just goes to show that it is difficult no matter who you are.

- - mum4107 said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    2:44 pm
What a horrible ordeal to go through. I’m glad its all worked out
- mom93821 replied
  
  01 Jan 2016 , 9:50 am
  These ordeals are harrowing for those involved in custody battles.
- - rachelvk said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    12:25 pm
How terrible for the poor children. Hope they can come to some sort of a resolution that will be bets for all parties.

- - mom74640 said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    12:07 pm
Lke hs

- - mom93821 said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    11:53 am
Custody battles are often bitter and sad – always feel for the children.

- - Nas01 said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    11:15 am
It’s always sad when child is put in the middle of bitter divorce. Hope the sort it out for their sons sake.