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Dad Who Flew 15 Hours To Stop His Baby From Being Put Up For Adoption Must Now Part Ways With Her
Dad Who Flew 15 Hours To Stop His Baby From Being Put Up For Adoption Must Now Part Ways With Her
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Dad Who Flew 15 Hours To Stop His Baby From Being Put Up For Adoption Must Now Part Ways With Her

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Dan Gaut, the father who took a 15-hour flight to prevent his baby daughter from being put up for adoption, is now fighting to be in his child’s life after learning the mother wants to be her primary caregiver.

At the beginning of March, Dan flew from Australia to Austin, Texas, to stop Liv, the mother of his little girl, Ana, from looking for adoption options for her.

Highlights
  • Dan Gaut, the father who took a 15-hour flight to stop his daughter's adoption, now fights to be in her life.
  • Liv, the mother, decided to keep their daughter Ana in the US, changing her initial adoption plan.
  • Feeling "heartbroken", Dan's wish is to see Ana grow up in Australia.

Now, he says Liv has had a change of heart, and she wants to keep Ana and raise her in the US.

“I feel heartbroken and empty as I’m forced to leave America alone. Liv has changed her mind and wants to keep Ana in the States and be her primary caregiver,” Dan wrote on Instagram on Monday (April 1).

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    Image credits: Daniel Gaut

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    “I still hold strong the vision of Ana growing up in Australia in the not to[o] distant future,” the carpenter added.

    Dan, who lives in Berowra Waters, Sydney’s north shore, met and fell in love with his ex-girlfriend Liv while vacationing in San Francisco in early 2023.

    Liv, from Austin, Texas, didn’t want to part ways with Dan, so she followed the carpenter home to Australia, where they agreed to have a baby.

    However, the pair didn’t have a happily-ever-after, as a homesick Liv returned to Texas following her pregnancy announcement.

    Little did Dan know that Liv wouldn’t return, as his ex-partner revealed in an upsetting call.

    As Dan announced on social media, the baby’s mother has changed her mind and wants to be Ana’s primary caregiver in America

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Dan Gaut (@dan__gaut)

    “I was actually leaving the job site as she’s telling me the news that she got back with her ex-partner,” Dan told the Australian outlet A Current Affair. 

    “I couldn’t believe it; what is happening? Like, you’re pregnant with my daughter?”

    The father was then hit with another surprise, one that was even more concerning: Liv had started looking for adoption options in Texas. “I said, ‘No, stop, don’t promise her to anyone, this is against all my morals,'” he told ACA.

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    As he didn’t have the funds to cover the travel expenses, Dan started a crowd-funding page to travel to Austin, organize an Australian passport, and bring his little girl home.

    Image credits: Daniel Gaut

    While he may have missed baby Ana’s birth, the proud dad was able to meet her after setting foot in the US.

    In an interview he gave after meeting Ana, then two days old, Dan said: “She’s just the cutest little thing, she’s so good, she’s just adorable and just picture perfect.”

    “It was like whatever apprehension or possibly awkwardness I might’ve been thinking about at that moment just dissolved.

    “The love for her took over, and it was like such a magical, loving moment that I just, just couldn’t wait to hold her.

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    “She’s just a little angel, really chill, which is phenomenal; I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

    Dan, who lives in Berowra Waters, Sydney’s north shore, met and fell in love with his ex-girlfriend Liv while vacationing in San Francisco in early 2023

    Image credits: A Current Affair

    Image credits: Daniel Gaut

    At the time, the carpenter said that his ex-girlfriend had expressed interest in being in Ana’s life, but he didn’t know “how exactly [it was] going to go” once he returned to Australia.

    Now, Dan has informed his followers, who have supported him throughout his life-changing journey, that he’ll be using the money from his crowd-funding campaign to seek legal representation so that he can remain in Ana’s life.

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    “I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who supported me on this journey,” the father wrote. 

    “I will use the remaining donations to seek legal representation in Austin and to visit Ana as often as I can.”

    In a separate post, the father announced that Ana has her Australian citizenship and passport.

    People supported Dan’s fight to be in his daughter’s life

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    Dan Gaut’s journey doesn’t just end with his dedicated effort to prevent his daughter’s adoption; it continues as he faces new challenges in his quest to be a part of Ana’s life. In times like these, Dan’s story of resilience highlights the importance of family and the lengths one might go to protect it.

    His experience resonates with those who value family bonds, much like his unwavering determination to ensure Ana grows up surrounded by love.


     

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    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    Read more »

    With a degree in social science and a love for culture, I approach entertainment journalism at Bored Panda with a research-driven mindset. I write about celebrity news, Hollywood highlights, and viral stories that spark curiosity worldwide. My work has reached millions of readers and is recognized for balancing accuracy with an engaging voice. I believe that pop culture isn’t just entertainment, it reflects the social conversations shaping our time.

    Read less »
    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    With a degree in social science and a love for culture, I approach entertainment journalism at Bored Panda with a research-driven mindset. I write about celebrity news, Hollywood highlights, and viral stories that spark curiosity worldwide. My work has reached millions of readers and is recognized for balancing accuracy with an engaging voice. I believe that pop culture isn’t just entertainment, it reflects the social conversations shaping our time.

    What do you think ?
    Emma S
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kid would have a better upbringing and quality of life in Australia. Texas is not where I'd want my children growing up.

    Tams21
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree that the quality of life is generally better in Australia but it probably wouldn't be for this poor kid. The mother considered putting up the child for adoption and who knows if she'll do it again. Having a parents that want you is more important than where you live, particularly if you're comparing two wealthy world countries.

    Load More Replies...
    Sunny Day
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mom only stepped up because she got beat up on social media. She should let Dad raise the baby.

    KillerKiwi
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mom is crazy. He should fight for custody and raise his daughter in Australia

    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Under Texas law (foetus is a child) what the mother did was kidnap. Fight for custody.

    rorschach-penguin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, it isn't; a parent can take their kid wherever they want in the absence of a court order or custody agreement. Stop spewing rubbish.

    Load More Replies...
    trevor gordier
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mom played a game with Dad and changed her mind … that ain’t cool … he showed the kind of Father he is by saying NO ! to her adoption plans and went to get his Lil Baby … great Father !! … hope you do get legal help brother and some custody and your little one gets to play on the beach with you … cheering and hoping for you man !! 🙏❤️👍🇨🇦

    RM Ker
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A narcissist who "changed her mind" after convincing this man to have a family with her and wanted to throw her baby away, just to have a new romance suddenly wants to keep her? She doesn't care about the baby. She just wants to have all the control and punish this poor babys real parent even further. US courts need to stop allowing themselves to be weaponized by narcissists to separate attached caregivers from their babies. This baby is now stuck with a flake that couldnt even commit to her own child and will always put her kid last.

    AR
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Texas is a terrible place to grow up, and the ex sounds unstable at best. Who’s to say she won’t try to give the baby away. Hope he can get his daughter to Australia soon.

    Ron Baza
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Perhaps, to be fair to Liv, every single member of her family, every single one of her friends, and all her work associates, had pointed out to her in detail that she was a truly dreadful human being acting so selfishly that she would be a social leper for the rest of her life. Which they’d be well within their rights to do.

    Nikki Angulo
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The father should be given custody. He was lied to and manipulated, and he wanted the child during THE ENTIRE pregnancy, and afterwards! She did not!

    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That baby is going to have a terrible childhood.

    Virginia Laffitte
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How can you or anyone say that?? Your thoughts are so negative , it's a wonder you could believe what you say. The Father loves his baby girl. is someone who truly adores her and wants the world for her. The Mother? That's an entirely different animal.

    Load More Replies...
    Gale Christensen
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is complete and utter BS. She doesn't want that baby. She just doesn't want to be seen as the monster she is. I hope he fights her and gets custody.

    Laura Williams
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw more love in those few pictures than my EX ever did.

    Veronica Vatter
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can guarantee you that the US courts don't look favorably on people that abandon their kids. I hope he gets to keep his little girl. He's gonna have to stay in the States though.

    ί𝔫CίŦᵃт𝐔𝐬
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It seems Austin is always wanting to take what's not theirs.

    Gypsy Lee
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The mother was going to give her away. What happened? Did her new boyfriend dump her? Was she shamed into demanding the child back because she was a selfish twit? The mother shouldn’t automatically get the kid! Dad should get her because he has done all the work to get her & care for her! This ticks me off, that poor dad deserves his child! She’s dual citizenship, he should have some recourse, not just “mom changed her mind so she gets her”. What happens when she finds a new boyfriend? This whole story is heartbreaking & disturbing on so many levels. Poor baby - poor dad 💔

    Kim Lorton
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jim getting a lawyer in Austin will be key. The mom has changed her mind several times now, got back with her previous ex,,, so, if he has a lawyer there in Austin , to represent his interests, if she changes her mind again, then the lawyer can let Dan know, and move to file for custody in family court. Ana deserves a parent willing to keep her, period. Not be wishy washy about it. Plus… this prior experience of mama’s? He is an EX. He is an ex for a reason, and being a father figure to Ana, may not be in his future picture, hence mama changing her tune again. That needs to stop, and DN needs custody.

    Sophia Grey
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think we can all agree the mother is an egg donator who is trash...

    JP Purves
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's a more recent update on this. The girlfriend has decided to share custody with him. However, I would not trust her at all, she has changed her mind about so many serious things, no one knows what she will do in the future.

    Tee Cee
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    she's from Texas. enough said

    LynzCatastrophe
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd be very hesitate to leave her. For whatever reason, your ex remained strong in her decision to put the baby up for adoption, till recently. It could be that she genuinely found maternal instincts, and good for her if that's the reason, but it could be worse, she may not want him to have the baby. Just trying to get him away so she can put her up for adoption without him knowing.

    Annie Steele
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You've known each other for less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee. Now a poor child is suffering due to your irresponsible action of coitus without protection. Maybe think about putting something on it, before putting it in !

    Michael
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    I wonder what everyone would have said if she wanted to have an abortion? The dad is irrelevant. He doesn’t have a say in anything. Her choice. Her body, her choice. Just impartial and throwing it out there.

    Nesbitt Liz
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Last time I checked It takes two people, an egg and a sperm to have a baby

    Load More Replies...
    Emma S
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kid would have a better upbringing and quality of life in Australia. Texas is not where I'd want my children growing up.

    Tams21
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree that the quality of life is generally better in Australia but it probably wouldn't be for this poor kid. The mother considered putting up the child for adoption and who knows if she'll do it again. Having a parents that want you is more important than where you live, particularly if you're comparing two wealthy world countries.

    Load More Replies...
    Sunny Day
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mom only stepped up because she got beat up on social media. She should let Dad raise the baby.

    KillerKiwi
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mom is crazy. He should fight for custody and raise his daughter in Australia

    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Under Texas law (foetus is a child) what the mother did was kidnap. Fight for custody.

    rorschach-penguin
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, it isn't; a parent can take their kid wherever they want in the absence of a court order or custody agreement. Stop spewing rubbish.

    Load More Replies...
    trevor gordier
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mom played a game with Dad and changed her mind … that ain’t cool … he showed the kind of Father he is by saying NO ! to her adoption plans and went to get his Lil Baby … great Father !! … hope you do get legal help brother and some custody and your little one gets to play on the beach with you … cheering and hoping for you man !! 🙏❤️👍🇨🇦

    RM Ker
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A narcissist who "changed her mind" after convincing this man to have a family with her and wanted to throw her baby away, just to have a new romance suddenly wants to keep her? She doesn't care about the baby. She just wants to have all the control and punish this poor babys real parent even further. US courts need to stop allowing themselves to be weaponized by narcissists to separate attached caregivers from their babies. This baby is now stuck with a flake that couldnt even commit to her own child and will always put her kid last.

    AR
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Texas is a terrible place to grow up, and the ex sounds unstable at best. Who’s to say she won’t try to give the baby away. Hope he can get his daughter to Australia soon.

    Ron Baza
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Perhaps, to be fair to Liv, every single member of her family, every single one of her friends, and all her work associates, had pointed out to her in detail that she was a truly dreadful human being acting so selfishly that she would be a social leper for the rest of her life. Which they’d be well within their rights to do.

    Nikki Angulo
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The father should be given custody. He was lied to and manipulated, and he wanted the child during THE ENTIRE pregnancy, and afterwards! She did not!

    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That baby is going to have a terrible childhood.

    Virginia Laffitte
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How can you or anyone say that?? Your thoughts are so negative , it's a wonder you could believe what you say. The Father loves his baby girl. is someone who truly adores her and wants the world for her. The Mother? That's an entirely different animal.

    Load More Replies...
    Gale Christensen
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is complete and utter BS. She doesn't want that baby. She just doesn't want to be seen as the monster she is. I hope he fights her and gets custody.

    Laura Williams
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw more love in those few pictures than my EX ever did.

    Veronica Vatter
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can guarantee you that the US courts don't look favorably on people that abandon their kids. I hope he gets to keep his little girl. He's gonna have to stay in the States though.

    ί𝔫CίŦᵃт𝐔𝐬
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It seems Austin is always wanting to take what's not theirs.

    Gypsy Lee
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The mother was going to give her away. What happened? Did her new boyfriend dump her? Was she shamed into demanding the child back because she was a selfish twit? The mother shouldn’t automatically get the kid! Dad should get her because he has done all the work to get her & care for her! This ticks me off, that poor dad deserves his child! She’s dual citizenship, he should have some recourse, not just “mom changed her mind so she gets her”. What happens when she finds a new boyfriend? This whole story is heartbreaking & disturbing on so many levels. Poor baby - poor dad 💔

    Kim Lorton
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jim getting a lawyer in Austin will be key. The mom has changed her mind several times now, got back with her previous ex,,, so, if he has a lawyer there in Austin , to represent his interests, if she changes her mind again, then the lawyer can let Dan know, and move to file for custody in family court. Ana deserves a parent willing to keep her, period. Not be wishy washy about it. Plus… this prior experience of mama’s? He is an EX. He is an ex for a reason, and being a father figure to Ana, may not be in his future picture, hence mama changing her tune again. That needs to stop, and DN needs custody.

    Sophia Grey
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think we can all agree the mother is an egg donator who is trash...

    JP Purves
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's a more recent update on this. The girlfriend has decided to share custody with him. However, I would not trust her at all, she has changed her mind about so many serious things, no one knows what she will do in the future.

    Tee Cee
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    she's from Texas. enough said

    LynzCatastrophe
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd be very hesitate to leave her. For whatever reason, your ex remained strong in her decision to put the baby up for adoption, till recently. It could be that she genuinely found maternal instincts, and good for her if that's the reason, but it could be worse, she may not want him to have the baby. Just trying to get him away so she can put her up for adoption without him knowing.

    Annie Steele
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You've known each other for less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee. Now a poor child is suffering due to your irresponsible action of coitus without protection. Maybe think about putting something on it, before putting it in !

    Michael
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    I wonder what everyone would have said if she wanted to have an abortion? The dad is irrelevant. He doesn’t have a say in anything. Her choice. Her body, her choice. Just impartial and throwing it out there.

    Nesbitt Liz
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Last time I checked It takes two people, an egg and a sperm to have a baby

    Load More Replies...
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