Statement Regarding the Situation of Danielle Milad Moussa

Statement Regarding the Situation of Danielle Milad Moussa

Date of Birth: 03/09/1990

During the preparations for the 14th edition of our annual Telethon, organized by Stouh Beirut Association, registered under No. 7-2-2017218 and holding Financial Registration No. 3368752, we were contacted by a bishop in Tripoli who requested our assistance for the family of Danielle Milad Moussa, wife of Manuel Estefan, a retired member of the Lebanese Army.

The couple has two children: Christopher, who suffers from quadriplegia, and Katerina. We were informed that the family was in urgent need of assistance.

Since the beginning of the Association’s intervention, we have covered the full costs of Christopher’s treatment, medical examinations, and healthcare follow-up. The necessary medical tests and evaluations were conducted in collaboration with foreign doctors, and we hold medical reports documenting his condition, progress, and response to the treatment and care provided through the Association.

After becoming acquainted with Mrs. Danielle Moussa, assessing her needs, and including her among the cases presented during the 2025 Telethon broadcast on OTV, one of the donors took the initiative to contribute to the repair and rehabilitation of her home.

During the renovation work at her residence in Sheikh Taba – Akkar, and while the Association was simultaneously providing furniture for the house as well as in-kind and financial assistance, the contractor responsible for the renovation informed us that Danielle had been severely beaten by her husband, Manuel, in the presence of the workers and her children.

During a subsequent visit, we became aware of the reality of the violence she had experienced and had reportedly been subjected to. Danielle subsequently shared painful details about her married life and the violence allegedly inflicted upon her and her children by her husband. She stated that her husband was addicted to alcohol to the extent of losing consciousness and control over his actions. She also reported that he brought women into the house for prostitution and that she had been subjected to violence and coercion into sexual acts in front of her daughter.

The Association has documented, to the extent possible, these incidents through the documents and photographs available in its possession.

Given the seriousness of the situation, on February 15, 2026, we transferred Danielle and her children, Christopher and Katerina, to the Women of the Sun Center in Dhour El Choueir, at her own request and with her consent. There, we provided safe accommodation, essential needs, and legal follow-up.

Danielle subsequently filed a protection request before the Urgent Matters Judge on February 17, 2026, who issued a decision prohibiting any further harassment or harm against her. She was also granted alimony pursuant to a ruling issued by the Military Court on February 18, 2026.

Following several attempts by her husband, Manuel Estefan, to evade payment of the alimony reportedly through personal connections and attempts to delay notification of the court decision—we contacted the relevant local authorities, who ensured that he was officially notified. As a result, he began paying her an amount of USD 250 per month in alimony starting in June.

At the same time, the Association continued to follow Christopher’s medical condition. He suffers from cerebral palsy accompanied by intellectual and motor developmental delays, visual impairment, and involuntary movements. We arranged medical examinations and evaluations in collaboration with foreign doctors and covered the full costs of his treatment, tests, and healthcare follow-up.

Based on the assessment of his condition, specialized and continuous care was secured for him at the Cerebral Palsy Center of the Sisters of Charity in Bhannes. We possess medical reports documenting his development and progress through the treatment and care provided.

As for Katerina, the Association transferred her from her previous school, Halba Maronite Secondary School, settled her outstanding school fees, and enrolled her at the Sacred Hearts School in Dhour El Choueir. Her administrative transfer was also completed, and the Association assumed all expenses related to her education.

The Association further provided Danielle and her children with heating, electricity, internet, transportation, and all other essential needs throughout their stay. It also covered expenses related to treatment, medication, and healthcare follow-up.

We also informed the Lebanese Army Retirees Administration of her situation in an effort to secure all possible support for her and her family. The Association assisted her in obtaining educational benefits from the Lebanese Army which, according to her, had been received by her husband but had not been paid toward the children’s educational expenses. These benefits were subsequently collected from the Military Affairs Office in Tripoli and provided to her with the Association’s assistance.

The Association’s support was not limited to financial, legal, and educational assistance. It also included psychosocial support sessions aimed at empowering Danielle, helping her regain her ability to make independent decisions, understand her rights, and seek employment opportunities that could enable her to secure a future for herself and raise her children despite these challenges. She was also supported and trained in completing her own legal, official, and military-related administrative procedures.

In addition, psychosocial support sessions were provided to her daughter to protect and inform her about her rights. Katerina was also enrolled in the Enfants de Paix summer camp in the Metn area, with the aim of keeping her engaged, preventing her return to her village during that period, and providing her with a more stable and secure environment.

However, during the past two weeks, following Danielle’s confrontation with her husband at the Military Affairs Office in Tripoli in an attempt to obtain the educational benefits provided by the Lebanese Army which he had allegedly received but failed to pay toward the children’s education we observed a noticeable change in her behavior and in her interactions with the Association.

At times, she began making statements that appeared inconsistent with her previous statements and positions. We also became aware that she had begun requesting assistance from individuals and organizations without the Association’s knowledge or consultation, despite the fact that the Association had been providing her and her children with all essential needs and covering their living, healthcare, educational, legal, and social expenses throughout their stay at the center.

This change caused us considerable concern, particularly in light of the circumstances and violence she had previously reported, as well as the legal measures that had been taken to protect her.

On September 1, 2026, we were surprised to learn that Danielle had left the center without informing the Association and without completing her administrative obligations. We were unable to determine her destination or the circumstances surrounding her departure.

As of this date, we have no confirmed information regarding whether she has returned to her husband, gone to her family, or relocated elsewhere.

Accordingly, we submit this statement to the relevant official, religious, and specialized authorities in order to inform them of the facts outlined above. This is particularly important given that Danielle had previously reported being subjected to violence and had voluntarily moved to the Women of the Sun Center in Dhour El Choueir. Her children were also considered to be in a situation requiring protection, particularly Christopher, who requires continuous care and follow-up.

We confirm that the incidents relating to the violence and the circumstances in which Danielle and her daughter were living are documented through the records, photographs, and information available to the Association. Stouh Beirut Association has, within its capabilities, undertaken every possible humanitarian, legal, medical, educational, and social intervention to protect and support Danielle and her children.

Accordingly, Stouh Beirut Association places this statement at the disposal of the competent authorities and relevant bodies, in the interest of safeguarding the well-being of Danielle Moussa and her children. The Association calls upon the relevant authorities to assume responsibility for following up on her situation and taking any appropriate measures necessary for their protection.

The Association also clearly states that it shall bear no responsibility for any event or consequence that may affect Danielle Moussa or her children following her departure from the center, particularly as she left without the knowledge or approval of the Association. The Association retains all documents and information recording the various stages of its intervention and assistance provided to the family.

We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to every donor who contributed to protecting and supporting this family, as well as to every official or religious authority that cooperated with us throughout this case.