South Florida Father Reunited With Kids Allegedly Taken By Mother

It was an emotional reunion at Miami International Airport Sunday night when three children whose mother is accused of taking them across the country were back with their father in South Florida

It was an emotional reunion at Miami International Airport Sunday night when three children whose mother is accused of taking them across the country were back with their father in South Florida.

Steven Pena's three sons were back in his arms at MIA nearly 10 days after they went missing with mother Carrie Weingarth and her boyfriend, Christian Coello. Weingarth, Coello and the children were found in California Thursday, and the boys were flown back to Miami Sunday night.

"I'm happy to see my babies," Pena told reporters, shortly after embracing the boys after they got off the plane.


Weingarth became the subject of a multi-state search after she walked into Gulfstream Elementary School on Feb. 14 and without authorization from school officials and Pena took 12-year-old son Erin and disappeared along with his two brothers, Steven, age 8, and Derick, age 7.

After a massive search led by Miami-Dade Schools Police, Weingarth and Coello were arrested in Barstow, California. Weingarth and Coello are expected to face charges, police said.


Steven Pena, who had custody of Erin, said he and Weingarth were in the middle of an ongoing custody dispute. Weingarth had custody of Steven and Derick, until a Friday custody hearing that gave father Steven Pena full custody of the younger children.

Miami-Dade Schools Police took custody of the boys Sunday and brought them home to their father.

"Miami-Dade Schools Police made it happen," Pena said.

Pena said he's looking forward to having family time with his sons.

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