The American father, who is wanted in Italy, allegedly accused of acquiring his young son, was ordered by a California judge to hand over the boy to his Italian mother following a bitter international custody battle.
And now, dad fears that he will never see the boy again.
“Everything I did was protect it [my son]Eric Howard Nichols told the post in an exclusive phone interview Monday. “My actions were not malicious.”
Nichols, 50, became an infamous figure in Italy after taking his son Ethan to the United States without the knowledge or permission of his former partner Claudia Champi, 46.
Ciampi has conducted numerous interviews on Italian television about the incident, even suing Pope Francis for help.
Nicholas admitted that he refused to tell her where he was with the child.
Currently, Ciampi is returning home with the boy and seeks full custody and restraining orders from Nichols after federal judge David Carter in California last week came to his advantage in an international custody case.
The incident involved Italian, American and international law enforcement agencies in November to track Nichols and the boy in Orange County, California. The boy was taken by his father and placed with Champion in the United States while the incident unfolds.
Nichols said, “I kept my breastfeeding infant from my mother for about 82 days and refused to disclose its location in the US,” Ciampi said, “bearing” the heartbreaking separation from Baby Ethan.” Carter wrote in the decision on February 18th. .
Nichols defended his actions in a telephone interview on the phone that he was in this horrifying position due to bad legal advice from a former lawyer. Born.
“It's been three months since I saw it [Ethan]Nichols told the Post that Ciampi is only allowed with the boy for a few minutes on video calls every four days.
“This can't bear it. It's torture,” said the suffering dad. “Ethan is my only son. I've been waiting 35 years to have a baby, and Claudia knows I want to be with my son.”
The ordeal began after Nichols, who had been teaching English classes in Italy for 13 years. The pair had Ethan in Ohio in February 2024 before returning to her home in Italian piano di Sorento with their newborn in March.
But things fell apart and, according to the judge's order, split up for a second time on August 5th.
Nichols claimed in both trial and Post earlier this month that Champion was concerned about Ethan's happiness as he abused Nichols and suicide.
Nichols claims he has exhausted all the way in Italy – consulting with lawyers about police, child service and his concerns – but no one took his claim urgently or seriously .
So, at one of his visits with his son – when Champ was visiting her brother in Puglia, Nichols refused to hand over the boy's American passport as he normally would. , failed to return the child that day in August.
Nichols was first very concerned about Champion, and he finally flew to London at 9pm with his kids before he took his son to a fun day at the zoo, beach and water park. Carter's ruling says he admitted to heading to the US.
Carter was shown plenty of hopeless messages from Champion asking Nichols to come back with the kids.
“Eric, when are you bringing him back? We need to see each other, hug and kiss. I miss him so much,” read one message.
“Hey Eric, come back [Baby Ethan]. I can't sleep, I have a moving pit. I ask you to come back. We can agree to you [satisfied]and [Baby Ethan] Another message said, according to the order.
The judge found that Nichols's claim was that Champion was a suicide, a threat to Ethan, and that her other children from previous relationships were unreliable.
“The overwhelming evidence depicts, instead, a loving, polite mother, not a parent who poses the risk of unbearing the child,” the judge wrote.
Nichols argued that the outcome of the judge's ruling was “awful” and that there are some legal and false characteristics of the testimony. Still, he said he and his lawyers were not going to appeal.
He also said he didn't think he could return to Italy to fight for his son as he was arrested to face criminal charges.
Nichols said, “I'll just have to treat you.” [Ciampi] Well, I [painted as] Monster. ”
Dad claimed he tried to help Ciampi get mental health treatment, but she refused to admit that there was a problem.
Meanwhile, Ciampi's attorney Stephane Quinn said his client told Nichols he had once again made a statement to Nichols.
However, Nichols made a fleeting emotional confession, not uncommon in women suffering from postpartum depression.
“He tried to sound like she was constantly reserved for repeating things. It wasn't,” Quinn said.
Nichols claims she committed suicide and would hurt the child.
Carter made his discovery earlier this month, including that after a three-day trial, the custody battle between the duo would eventually have to unfold in Italian courts.
Nichols's attorney Brett Berman alleged that his clients only hid Ethan's whereabouts from Champion for the advice of previous lawyers, claiming that Nichols had left Italy with his first child. Ethan.
Berman also said he called moms, dads and babies “almost every day during what is called “adduction.”
The lawyer added that the “intention” of his parents is always to grow in the US where Ethan was born.
