In August of 2010 Ashley's* mother was diagnosed with Lupus and felt unable to care for her.  Her mother asked her ex-husband, Ashley's stepfather, to take her with him as he relocated to Malta to begin a new relationship with a woman he met online.  In December of that year, Ashley and her stepfather arrived in Malta, knowing no one but the stepfather's girlfriend.  Ashley remained in touch with her mother for the next year and visited her in Oregon in January of 2012.  The mother's health was improving and she had begun a new relationship.  Ashley stayed in Oregon for several weeks and returned to Malta in February.  In her absence her father and his girlfriend had gotten married and the new stepmother no longer wanted Ashley in the couple's home.  Ashley, was sent to live with a teacher from her music conservatory, where she was discovered to be a piano prodigy.   

In October of 2014 Ashley decided she wanted to visit her mother again, but because of her unusual living situation the teacher requested that the court verify that Ashley's mother was fit to care for her.  There were rumors that the mother was dying and unable to provide proper care and supervision.  Malta requested that ISS-USA conduct an assessment of the mother and her husband to ensure that a visit would be safe and appropriate.  In November of 2014 ISS-USA completed the home study and found that the mother and her new husband were more than able to care for Ashley during a visit or even full time.  Ashley had not lived with, or seen, her stepfather for over 15 months and her mother hoped Ashley would come home to Oregon and become part of the family once again.  Ashley arrived in Oregon in December, but returned to Malta in early February to continue her musical education.  She plans to return to Oregon permanently at the end of the school year.