DOHA: A representative for the family of an American couple cleared by a Qatari appeals court of wrongdoing in the death of their adopted daughter says they have been barred from leaving the country.

Eric Volz said that Qatari immigration officials blocked Matthew and Grace Huang from leaving Sunday and confiscated their passports just hours after an appeals court overturned a child endangerment verdict against them. The couple was found guilty of child endangerment and sentenced to three years in prison in March.

The Huangs say 8-year-old Gloria died of medical problems complicated by unusual eating habits that included periods of binging and self-starvation. Prosecutors alleged she died after being denied food and locked in her room.