U.S. citizen Chere Lyn Tomayko may soon be released from prison after Costa Rican authorities turned down an extradition request by the United States.
Tomayko fled the U.S. in 1997 with her daughter, Alexandria, then 8, after a Texas court ruled Tomayko and Alexandria’s father, Roger Cyprian, had joint custody over the child, according to the daily La Nación.
Public Security Minister Janina del Vecchio said refugee status was granted Tomayko because Tomayko had been a victim of domestic violence in the U.S.
In response, the U.S. Embassy canceled an event Thursday in which the U.S. government was going to donate an airplane to the Public Security Ministry, according to the daily Al Día.