FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 11, 2025

"U.S. Father, Targeted with Death Threats and Hostage Videos, Pleads for Urgent Action to Bring His 5-Year-Old Son Home from Russia – A Child Held Hostage in Legal Limbo

Nick Levenstein pictured with his son, Leon, now five years old. Leon was in Russia with his mother when she tragically passed away in 2023. Despite Nick’s efforts to reunite with his son, Leon remains in Russia, caught in a prolonged legal process that has prevented his return.

A Desperate Father’s Plea

Nick Levenstein, an American father, is urgently calling for help to reunite with his 5-year-old son, Leon, who has been separated from him in Russia since December 2023. Despite Nick’s legal parental rights, his son is being held in Russia, trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare that has left him unable to see or communicate with Leon for over a year.

Key Facts

• December 5, 2023: Leon’s mother tragically passed away unexpectedly from cancer, just 12 days after arriving in Russia.
• December 6, 2023: Leon was placed in the care of his maternal uncle, and Nick was not informed of his son’s whereabouts or his mother’s death until December 19, 2023, when his own private investigators uncovered the information.
• Since December 2023: Despite Russian law granting Nick visitation rights, he has been unable to see or communicate with Leon and has been locked in an ongoing legal battle to reunite with his son. So far, three lawsuits have been filed, he has lost three times, and not a single reason has been given by the Russian courts as to why he should not have his child back.
• January 30, 2024: Nick met with officials from President Putin’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights in Moscow, who expressed a desire to help, but no progress has been made. Four staff members were clearly informed of the case, tried to help Mr. Levenstein’s attorneys with legal strategy, and even wrote to the defendants to request mediation.
• Concerns for Leon’s Safety: Nick has received disturbing "hostage" videos from Leon’s guardian, and a security guard at Leon’s alleged school in Moscow confirmed that Leon had not attended “for a while.”

A Child Held Hostage: Leon’s Rights Denied

Leon, a child too young to understand what’s happening, is being held hostage in this situation, separated from his only surviving parent. Nick has not been allowed to see Leon, nor has he been provided any explanation for why his legal rights as a father are being ignored. Nick is also deeply concerned for Leon’s welfare. The “hostage” videos he has received from Leon’s guardian suggest that Leon may be in distress or facing harm. These videos can be viewed here; https://www.bringleonhome.org/unpleasant-video. Additionally, when Nick visited Leon’s reported school in Moscow, a security guard told him that Leon had not been at the school “for a while,” raising serious concerns about his well-being.

The Urgency: A Father’s Emotional Appeal

Nick continues to fight for Leon’s return, but every day that goes by without progress is another day his son suffers. “I don’t know what effect this has had on a child—being separated from both parents at age three,” Nick said. “Leon turned five on February 27th. How much longer can we let this continue?”

“I’m sure I did something to deserve this in a previous life, but I’m fairly certain my son has not,” Nick added.

Why This Case Needs Urgent Action

Nick’s situation has not received the same level of international attention or any really from the U.S. Department of State as other hostage cases involving U.S. citizens. But the reality is, this case is different—Leon didn’t break any laws, and neither did his father. Yet, both father and son are being abused by a Guardianship authority and courts that refuse to uphold parental rights.

Custody cases like this one, particularly involving American fathers in Russia, are challenging to gain attention for because they don’t involve criminal charges or high-profile political disputes. Instead, they are deeply personal, emotional struggles for parents seeking to reunite with their children. These cases are difficult to frame in a way that garners the same media attention that more politically charged stories might receive. But the stakes are no less high—this is a child’s well-being at risk, and the time for action is now.

Nick’s Call for Immediate Action

Nick is calling on the U.S. government to urgently intervene in his case, stressing that the situation is dire. The U.S. must act to ensure his parental rights are respected and to help reunite him with his son.

• Diplomatic Engagement: Actively engage with Russian authorities to facilitate Nick's reunification with his son.
• Support for Other Parents: Advocate for other American parents facing similar custody challenges in Russia.
• State Department Support: Ensure the U.S. State Department is fully engaged in assisting American citizens in urgent situations like this.

Conclusion: A Family Torn Apart

Every day Leon remains in Russia, the emotional and psychological toll on him deepens. Nick has been unable to see or communicate with his son for over a year. Leon has passed two birthdays in captivity. This case is not just a legal battle—it’s about a child’s right to be with his father. Nick’s fight is urgent, and the situation demands immediate action from both the U.S. government and Russian authorities, some of whom have already been cooperative.