Aug 23, 2008 8:16 am US/Eastern
NJ Sisters To Leave Georgian Republic With Father
British Airline Waves Fees For The Family
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Ashley and Sophia Evans are reunited with their father after being trapped by violence in the Republic of Georgia for two weeks.
CBS
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Joseph Evans was unable to complete his journey to Georgia to rescue his two daughters.
CBS
The two New Jersey sisters who were trapped in the Republic of Georgia since the Russian invasion are expected to return home on Monday.
The British airline BMI has agreed to wave large fees so Ashley Evans, 7, and her sister Sophia, 3, could reunite with their mother in Howell.
Since the war began, the two were trapped on their grandparents' farm
in the Georgian village of Chiatura. Their father met with them in Tblisi in his attempt to bring them out of the country.
"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.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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