Cuba Will Send Hakkens Back to U.S.

It looks like the search for two young boys abducted from their Carrollwood area home April 3 will soon come to a close.

The Cuban government has said it would hand over the family – the two boys and their parents – to American officials, CNN is reporting.

It is unclear at this time when the family will be placed into American custody, but CNN is saying that a woman who fits the description of Sharyn Hakken, the boys’ mother, said the children are doing fine.

“Foreign Ministry official Johana Tablada told The Associated Press in a written statement today that Cuba had informed U.S. authorities of the country's decision to turn over Joshua Michael Hakken, his wife Sharyn, and their two young boys,” The Tampa Tribune is reporting.

Read all stories related to the abduction

The search for Chase and Cole Hakken, 2 and 4 respectively, began on Wednesday, April 3 after they were forcibly taken from their grandmother’s Shady Shores Drive home in the Lake Magdalene area of Carrollwood. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies have said that Joshua Hakken, 35, lost custody of the children just before the kidnapping.

Authorities announced late last week that the family might be traveling by boat. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed Friday that the boat in question had left Madeira Beach on April 3. Reports surfaced shortly thereafter that the family might be in Cuba.

The Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office has issued a warrant for Joshua Hakken’s arrest. Sharyn Hakken’s involvement in the kidnapping remains unclear.

Stay with Carorolwood-Northdale Patch for details as they become available.