Liam disappeared from New York, New York on March 6, 2007. He was abducted by his non-custodial mother, Manuela Antonelli. Photographs and vital statistics for Antonelli are posted below this case summary. That day, Antonelli and Liam flew out of John F. Kennedy Airport to Rome, Italy, where Antonelli is from. Liam's father, Michael McCarty, is his primary custodial parent and didn't give his consent for the trip. A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warrant for parental kidnapping was issued for Antonelli on April 16, 2007.

Antonelli was diagnosed with several severe personality disorders. Michael stated his wife suffered from depression and anxiety attacks as well, and she took Liam back and forth between the United States and Italy several times during their marriage. He was concerned that Antonelli might abduct him, so he filed for divorce. In the summer of 2006, Antonelli accused Michael of sexually abusing their son. The courts determined her allegations were baseless and that Antonelli was trying to alienate Liam against Michael. They issued an order prohibiting Antonelli from removing Liam from the country, and Michael filed for full custody. Antonelli abducted Liam before the issue was decided, but the courts later granted custody to Michael.

Michael has tried to arrange his son's return to the United States through diplomatic means, but the Italian courts have thus far refused to assist him. Antonelli repeated the sex abuse allegations to Italian authorities and they conducted their own investigation before exoneratering Michael. Italian authorities determined that Antonelli was not a fit parent and Liam was taken from her and placed in an orphanage. Michael was allowed supervised visitation with him there but wasn't allowed to take him back to the United States. Months later, Liam was ordered to move to a different orphanage where he would have no contact with his mother or his mother's family. The day before the move, however, Liam was abducted again. His current whereabouts are unknown, but he may be with his mother in Italy or elsewhere in Europe.

Liam was born in Italy and has dual citizenship in Italy and the United States. Michael claims he has spent over $150,000 on legal fees and travel expenses in his effort to have his son returned to him. The child's case remains unsolved.