Kids abducted in Fla. custody case taken to Cuba

usatoday

A Florida couple suspected of kidnapping their two sons from the woman's parents in Tampa have fled by boat to Cuba, according to Florida authorities.

The boys had been living since last year with their maternal grandparents, who were granted permanent custody a week ago.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office alleges that Joshua Michael Hakken entered his mother-in-law's house north of Tampa on Wednesday, tied her up and fled with his sons, 4-year-old Cole and 2-year-old Chase.

The Hillsborough Sheriff's office has issued an arrest warrant for Hakken on charges of kidnapping and several other counts.

Chase Hakken, 2, left, and his brother Cole Hakken, 4, were allegedly abducted by their father, Joshua Hakken, from theTampa home of his mother-in-law, who had legal custody. Authorities says Hakken, his wife Sharyn and the two boys have arrived in Cuba.(Photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Ofc/AP)

He lost custody of his sons last year after a drug possession arrest in Louisiana, and he later tried to take them from a foster home at gunpoint, authorities have said. Authorities have previously characterized the Hakkens as "anti-government." The sheriff's office says it has received information that the Hakken family had arrived in Cuba. Investigators say they're working with the FBI and the U.S. State Department to verify their reports. CNN's Patrick Oppmann, reporting from Havana, reported that he had seen the family at a Marina, but they refused to talk to him. Cuba does not have an extradition treaty with the United States.

This undated image provided by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office shows 35-year-old Joshua Michael Hakken, who is accused of kidnapping his sons from his mother-in-law in Tampa, who had legal custody. Florida authorities said Hakken, his wife, and the two young boys fled to Cuba.(Photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Ofc./AP)

The U.S. Interest Section in Cuba released its own statement, saying it is aware of this case and it's in contact with local authorities.

"U.S. officials are providing all appropriate assistance to the family," the statement said. "Because of privacy reasons, we are unable to provide any additional information. One of the Department's highest priorities is the welfare of U.S. citizens overseas. This is particularly true for children, who are our most vulnerable citizens. The Department works with parents and foreign governments to resolve these difficult cases."

Detectives suspect Hakken, an experienced sailor, had drawn up an elaborate getaway plan, buying a boat a few weeks ago that can accommodate four people comfortably, WTSP-TV reported..

A truck that Hakken, his wife Sharyn and the boys had been traveling in was found late Thursday, abandoned in a parking garage in Madeira Beach. Authorities say they had been searching the entire Gulf coast from Pensacola to the Keys and the Intracoastal Waterway. An Amber Alert for the boys was also issued in Florida, Louisiana and other states.