U.S. couple kidnap minors

WASHINGTON.—Joshua Hakken, 35 years of age, and his wife Sharyn, 34, who lost custody of their children as the result of drugs charges, kidnapped the two minors, four-year-old Cole and two-year-old Chase, fleeing with them to Cuba, according to news agencies.

The U.S. media reported that Hakken, who was arrested last year on drugs charges in Louisiana, had unsuccessfully attempted to take the children at gunpoint from the foster home where they were staying. He fled before he could be detained.

On this occasion, the children were temporarily in the care of their maternal grandmother in Tampa. Hakken went to the house, tied his mother-in-law up at gunpoint and kidnapped the children.

The couple subsequently left Tampa with the minors aboard a 25-foot sailboat recently acquired by Hakken, authorities added.