Abducted Children Reunited with Mother

 
Reported by Roxanne Lerma

 

JUNE 8, 2004 - There was a tearful reunion Tuesday afternoon for a Mission mother who had been living every parent's worst nightmare.

Police flocked to the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge and brought her three missing children back into the United States.

The emotional reunion was a moment, ten days in the making.

"I'm so happy," said Diana Cordova, the children's mother. "I don't know how to explain it."

Cordova was rejoined with her three young children, only after they were taken by force into Mexico.

Police say her estranged husband, Jose Angel Ramirez beat Cordova, then fled with the kids. After days of negotiating, he finally agreed to drop the children off at their grandfather's home in Reynosa.

"He returned them because he was scared and because he didn't want to deal with them anymore, but it doesn't matter," said Cordova. "I'm so grateful they're back with me."

Officers had put increasing pressure on Mexican authorities to track down Ramirez and had circulated his picture in the Mexican media.

"This is a great day for law enforcement and for the Mission Police Department," said Sgt. Martin Garza. "We're excited that we took a part in recuperating the kids."

Cordova says she will never be able to repay the effort authorities put forward to return her children to her.

"I want to thank the officers. They worked so hard to help me."

However, Sgt. Garza says their job still isn't finished.

"We are still working in cooperation with the Ministerio Publico in Reynosa and the Texas Rangers to try and serve the warrant on Jose Angel Ramirez."

If he isn't caught soon, Cordova fears Ramirez will come after her family again.

For now, she's simply enjoying the little things - the kisses and hugs from five-year-old Angel, four-year-old Rebecca and two-year-old Irving, the children she feared she'd never see again.

This was the perfect gift for young Irving. He celebrated his second birthday on Monday.

Meantime, two arrest warrants are still pending for Ramirez. One is for assault and the other is for violation of a protective order.

Ramirez has been spotted in Reynosa, but relatives claim that he is hiding out in Monterrey.

Cordova and her three children have been re-located with money from the Crime Victim's Compensation Fund, for their safety.

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