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N.J. Girls Trapped In Georgia Finally Come Home

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Aug 25, 2008 11:51 pm US/Eastern

N.J. Girls Trapped In Georgia Finally Come Home

Reporting
Mary Calvi

HOWELL, N.J. (CBS) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: Joseph Evans hugs his two daughters, Sophia (left) and Ashley after being reunited with them following two weeks of them being trapped in the Republic of Georgia.
CBS

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NJ Sisters, Dad Trapped In Georgia Due Home Monday
(8/25/2008)
NJ Sisters To Leave Georgian Republic With Father
(8/23/2008)
An Emotional Reunion For Girls Trapped In Georgia
(8/21/2008)
N.J. Girls Trapped In Georgia Reunited With Father
(8/21/2008)
NJ Pol Trying To Rescue Girls Trapped In Georgia
(8/20/2008)

A mother who spent the last weeks in anguish, worrying about her two daughters trapped in war-torn Georgia, was finally reunited with them Monday night. The girls and their father ended their harrowing journey when they touched down at Newark Liberty International Airport.

"We got our girls," exclaimed Tea Evans, the girls' mother, who has been in New Jersey preparing for a homecoming celebration made for the young girls. "As a mother, I was crying and praying to God to help me."

"I'm cooking Ashley's favorite, cupcakes and ice cream, and of course pizza. She loves pizza," she said.

It's been a painful few weeks for the Evans family of Howell. Daughter Ashley, 7, and Sophia, 3, were trapped on a farm in Georgia, their father's attempt to get them himself failed. It took an international team of diplomats to bring them home safely finally.

Their father calls the rescue, and reunion, a miracle. "It was a moment that will be with me all my life."

The Evans girls stayed with family in Georgia this summer. When the crisis unfolded, roads to the capital were closed. Congressman Chris Smith went to Georgia with the girls' father to get the children out.

Smith brokered a deal with the French ambassador, who drove his own diplomatic car with a French flag on top through war-torn Georgia to get the girls.

"I'm really thankful what everyone did for me and my family," said Tea. "Thank you, thank you, for me especially. This is a miracle."

The girls are now far from danger, and are looking forward to starting school and seeing her friends.

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