Tradie dad’s meets baby in US after adoption scare

A Sydney tradie has raced to the US to meet his baby to prevent her from being adopted.

A Sydney tradie has united with his baby daughter after making a frantic dash to the US to prevent her from being adopted.

Carpenter Dan Gaut, from Sydney’s North, was eagerly awaiting the arrival of a baby with his girlfriend Liz, when she returned home to the US and told him she planned on putting their daughter up for adoption.

Liz, who has rekindled her relationship with her ex-partner, had agreed to give the baby to Mr Gaut if he was there during or shortly after the birth.

On Monday, the tradie jumped on a plane to Texas after finding out his ex had gone into labour before her March due date.

“I didn’t sleep a wink (on the flight), I was wired and excited,” he told A Current Affair on Wednesday night.

Dan Gaut’s ex told him she planned on putting their baby up for adoption. Picture: GoFundMe

After the over 15-hour-flight, Mr Gaut made it to Texas to meet his daughter, Ana – short for Anunta – who was born on Monday at 8pm Sydney time.

“She’s just the cutest little thing, she’s so good, she’s just adorable and just picture perfect,” he said.

“Whatever apprehension or possibly awkwardness I might’ve been thinking about in 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.

“She’s just a little angel … I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

The Sydney tradie flew to the US earlier this week. Picture: Channel 9

His daughter Ana was born on Monday at 8pm Sydney. Picture: Channel 9

The new father said his daughter was “picture perfect”. Picture: Channel 9

Mr Gaut said he’s taking things “one day at a time” as he learns the ropes of becoming a new father and begins the lengthy process of bringing his daughter back home.

“I can’t tie myself in knots thinking about all the stages along the way, so it’s just one day at a time,” he said.

“I have to get a US passport which could take, even I fast track it, up to five weeks.”

“Once I have the passport in my hands (the next step is) getting one of the ETA (electronic travel authority) apps for the Australian visa for her and then at the same time we’re filing for her Australian citizenship.”

An ETA is an online equivalent of a regular visa that allows non-citizens to travel to Australia for up to a year, or the life of the passport – whichever is shorter.

Mr Gaut said his ex has expressed her love for their daughter and her interest in being part of her life.

She’s also offered to make the trip back to Australia to help the new father fly home with the baby.

“We don’t know how it’s going to go but she’s very supportive of me bringing the baby over (to Australia),” he said.

Mr Gaut said his ex has expressed her interest in being in their baby’s life. Picture: Channel 9

Mr Gaut had met his ex while holidaying in San Francisco in early 2023, before she followed him back to Australia.

The pair “were deeply in love and agreed to have a baby together”.

However, the tradie said he was left “heartbroken” when his ex returned to the US for a “visit” seeking her “support network” and told him she was considering handing the baby to US adoption agents.

“She was starting to send me adoption options for people that she knew in Texas, and she was sending me the links to the Instagram page,” he previously told A Current Affair.

“And I was like, ‘No, this is, stop, don’t promise her to anyone.”

A GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign was set up by Mr Gaut's friends to help with travel and immigration costs.

“I don’t know how I will do this, but I do know that I will do everything I can to bring my daughter home and shower her with love and acceptance,” Mr Gaut said on the GoFundMe.

“Every child should know they are loved and wanted. I just want to be the best Dad that I can possibly be. I want to be there every step of the way for my little Ana.”

The fundraiser had raised over $31,000 at the time of publication.