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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUS 'kidnap' parents transferred from Cuba to Florida
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22092684<snip>
A US couple accused of kidnapping their two sons from their grandparents and fleeing to Cuba by boat have been transferred to a Florida jail.
Joshua and Sharyn Hakken had been handed over to the US police by Cuban authorities, officials said.
US authorities say Mr Hakken took Cole, four, and Chase, two, from his mother-in-law's Florida home after she was awarded custody of them last week.
Mr Hakken lost custody after being charged with marijuana possession.
Police said he also allegedly tried to remove the children from a foster home at gunpoint.
The family left for Cuba from a dock in Madeira Beach, Florida, aboard the Salty, their recently purchased 25ft (7.6m) sailboat, investigators said.
Mr Hakken will face charges which include two counts of kidnapping, interfering with child custody, child neglect and false imprisonment.
Mrs Hakken will also face charges of kidnapping, interference with child custody and child neglect, according to AFP.
US diplomats in Havana said in a statement on Wednesday that the two children had left Cuba and "are safely on their way home".
The statement added: "We would like to express our appreciation to the Cuban authorities for their extensive co-operation to resolve this dangerous situation quickly."
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US 'kidnap' parents transferred from Cuba to Florida (Original Post)
malaise
Apr 2013
OP
Exultant Democracy
(6,594 posts)1. Elian! Now are we glad we gave them their kid back?
It seems like giving kids back is the only responsible thing to do.
malaise
(267,800 posts)2. Obey the law - it's that simple
Both governments did the right thing re the children.
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)3. He lost custody for possession of marijuana?
Why did the mother lose custody?
Something doesn't smell right here.
malaise
(267,800 posts)4. It's Florida
tammywammy
(26,582 posts)5. It was more than simple possession
In June, Slidell police responded to a disturbance report at a hotel where Josh and Sharyn Hakken were staying with their sons, the police statement said.
"When police arrived, both Mr. and Mrs. Hakken were acting in a bizarre manner that alarmed officers. They were talking about 'completing their ultimate journey' and were traveling across the country to 'take a journey to the Armageddon'," the Slidell police statement said, adding, "Let it be noted that both of their children were present in the hotel room at the time."
Because of the parents' behavior and "the fact that narcotics and weapons were located inside of the hotel room," the children were taken by child welfare officers, and Josh Hakken was arrested on drug charges, the statement said.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/10/us/florida-children-abducted/index.html
"When police arrived, both Mr. and Mrs. Hakken were acting in a bizarre manner that alarmed officers. They were talking about 'completing their ultimate journey' and were traveling across the country to 'take a journey to the Armageddon'," the Slidell police statement said, adding, "Let it be noted that both of their children were present in the hotel room at the time."
Because of the parents' behavior and "the fact that narcotics and weapons were located inside of the hotel room," the children were taken by child welfare officers, and Josh Hakken was arrested on drug charges, the statement said.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/10/us/florida-children-abducted/index.html
Full statement from the Slidell, LA police department: http://www.slidell.la.us/phpsource/doc_through.php?type=press&file_id=691
malaise
(267,800 posts)6. Thanks for that n/t