Sheriff Gee: Joshua and Sharyn Hakken Headed to Jail

It’s been a week since Bob and Patricia Hauser were last able to hold their grandchildren.

Chase and Cole Hakken, however, will soon return to their grandparents’ arms, ending a search that began in Carrollwood April 3.

That news officially broke just after midnight April 10.

Surrounded by law enforcement officials from the county, state and FBI, Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee announced at 12:25 a.m. that the Hakken boys and their parents were “safely in U.S. custody – they’re in the airspace of the United States right now.”

Gee said a group of law enforcement officers from the sheriff’s office and FBI traveled to Cuba yesterday, April 9, to retrieve the boys and their parents, Joshua and Sharyn Hakken, from the island. An arrival time for their plane and a location were not given, but Gee did say the plane would land inside Hillsborough County.

When it does both Joshua and Sharyn will face a number of criminal charges stemming from the April 3 abduction, Gee added.

His announcement ended questions about Sharyn Hakken’s involvement in the kidnapping. She faces a list of charges that include kidnapping and interference with child custody, Gee said.

The Search

Chase and Cole Hakken, 2 and 4 respectively, were in the legal custody of their grandparents Bob and Patricia Hauser when they were forcibly taken from their Shady Shores Drive home by their father Joshua Hakken last week.

Deputies said Joshua Hakken, 35, tied up his mother-in-law, took the children, and fled in her car. The search for the family eventually led to Madeira Beach where it was discovered Joshua Hakken had purchased a boat. U.S. Coast Guard officials confirmed last Friday the boat left the area April 3.

Read all stories related to the abduction

Following that announcement, the search for the Hakkens turned to the waters around Tampa Bay. Hakken’s boat, however, turned up in Cuba, sparking questions about whether or not that government would cooperate with a return of the boys and their parents.

Grateful Grandparents

The Hausers avoided media contact in the days following the abduction, but spoke out early Wednesday morning to express their gratitude to law enforcement and the U.S. State Department for their impending reunion with their grandchildren.

Referring to law enforcement officials, Bob Hauser said: “They took care of us. They helped us. They were there for us.”

Hauser also took a moment to thank those who prayed for the boys’ safe return.

“We are very appreciative of that,” Hauser said. “It was very comforting to my wife and I.”

Patricia Hauser stood by her husband’s side as he spoke, but declined personal comment.

Bob Hauser said he and his wife had a chance to speak with their grandchildren before they boarded the plane bound for American soil.

“Our grandchildren are safe,” he said.

Bob Hauser had one request. He asked that people “continue to respect our privacy for the next few days as we reunite with our precious grandchildren.”

Details of Capture Still Murky

Gee and FBI Special Agent David Couvertier said details in the case are continuing to emerge. It is unclear exactly how the apprehension of Joshua and Sharyn Hakken unfolded, Couvertier said.

“The way it worked out, I can’t speak for the State Department,” Couvertier said. “This was not your typical parental kidnapping.”

Gee did make it clear that both adult Hakkens would be booked into the Hillsborough County Jail upon their return.

Stay with Carrollwood-Northdale Patch for updates as they become available.