Print
Aug 21, 2008 7:55 pm US/Eastern
An Emotional Reunion For Girls Trapped In Georgia
2 Sisters Meet Dad, Joseph Evans, At U.S. Embassy
Rep. Chris Smith Of N.J. Retrieved Ashley & Sophia Evans Through Russian Checkpoints
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
-
-
Ashley and Sophia Evans are reunited with their father after being trapped by violence in the Republic of Georgia for two weeks.
CBS
-
-
Joseph Evans was unable to complete his journey to Georgia to rescue his two daughters.
CBS
Two little girls from New Jersey caught in the war-torn Republic of Georgia have been safely reunited with their father, an emotional return after a frantic two weeks.
Ashley Evans, 7, and her sister Sophia, 3, were finally back up in their father's arms after being rescued from their grandparents' farm in the Georgian village of Chiatura, where they had been trapped since the war began.
"This is no doubt the experience of my life," a relieved Joseph Evans said of his daughters' return. "Along with the state department, the embassy here, and [Congressman Chris] Smith, we got them home. God bless America. Viva la France!"
As Evans spoke in the capital of Georgia, his wife saw the first video of her children on CBS 2 News.
"Oh my God, that's my kids," Tea Evans said of her initial reaction. "I couldn't believe I was watching those faces. I just thank God to return my girls to me."
Congressman Smith brokered a deal with the French Ambassador who drove his own diplomatic car with a French flag on top through the war-torn country to get the girls.
Joseph Evans says his girls were scared during the ordeal.
"Ashley was a little more involved in that. She kept saying, 'Daddy, I want to go home,'" he said.
His daughters' uncle was also rescued. Tea Evans said her brother dodged bullets to get to their parents' farm.
"He's just my hero. He's the most unbelievable brother," she said, adding the girls showed their gratitude to the French with an enthusiastic chant of "Viva la France!"
The two young girls were then treated to McDonald's Happy Meals and ice cream as soon as they got out of harms way. Tea then called her daughters to hear their voices again, first speaking to Ashley, then hoping to speak to Sophia.
"I said, 'Can talk to Sophia?' She said, 'Mommy, Sophia can't talk because she's eating ice cream!'" she said.
Tea said her parents stayed in Georgia during the violence to protect their vineyard.
"I knew my mom would not leave my father," she said.
As to when the girls and their father will be back home for good, they are still trying to book a flight back. The family believe they will be able to return home sometime next week.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
