How to Help – Send Message to Elliot, Abducted Child Writer

In our previous post, ‘11 Year Old Writing Book Before Abduction‘, we mentioned how the father of the abducted children is working to have his son’s book published. The reaction has been overwhelming, with thousands reading the post overnight and many writing from around the world asking how they can help.

We’ve been thinking and there is something people can do to help.

1. Read the first chapter of Eli’s book, The Half Elf, and post your thoughts about it to this blog, in the comments section. We will do all we can to have your messages of encouragement delivered to Eli in St. Petersburg, Russia where he is being prevented any contact with relatives and his friends.

2. Forward this link to others to read and comment on his chapter as a way to help draw attention to the plight of Eli and the other children.

Read 11-Year Old Writing Book Before Abduction or download Chapter 1 here: The Half Elf – Chapter 1.

The Yeshiva in St Petersburg, Russia, where Elliot and his brothers now reside and are not being allowed contact with their family in Italy and the US and their friends, while his sister is living in another institution that takes in girls. The institutions in which the children have been placed offer a home for orphans and children from underprivileged families.

Background on Elliot’s book project:

At the top of this post is Elliot’s handwritten introduction to his book, explaining how he started his project. (Translation of his handwriting below.)

“I started writing this (version of the) book at the age of 10 and I finished at ____.
About me: my name’s Elliot (Jacopo) McIlwrath. I live in Florence, and my parents are separated. I live with my father in a 3-floor house. I started writing this book when I discovered a friend of mine was, and I thought it was a good idea. I must thank him very much for this idea. [deleted text] I started the Book in the: Month started: March, probably 5th-10th.

Year: 2011

Age: 11″

Eli with his younger brother Ezra, building his tree house the summer before being abducted from their home in Florence.