Facebook Reunites Mom With Kidnapped Kids

ORLANDO, Fla. --
A California mother whose children were kidnapped 15 years ago was reunited with them through Facebook.

The woman said her husband, Faustino Utrera, kidnapped her two children and said she would never see them again.

She said she looked everywhere for them, and she ultimately found out through Facebook that they were in Central Florida.

Police said Utrera disappeared from San Bernardino, Calif., with his then 3-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son. The mother said she has not seen them since.

In March, the children's mother searched for her daughter on Facebook and found her page. She added her as a friend, and they messaged back and forth.

San Bernardino Deputy District Attorney Kurt Rowley said the mother immediately contacted his office.

"We did some additional investigation until we located Mr. Utrera and the kids in Florida," he said.

Utrera was arrested and the children were placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Families. With the father in jail, custody of the two teenagers was given to their mother.

Carrie Hoeppner, of DCF, said that's where things get complicated.

"There is no relationship there," Hoeppner said. "You don't have that immediate joyful reunification. If in fact that is what will progress, it will take time. These children will have to build a relationship, and that is something that will not happen overnight."

The children will soon be on their way back to California.