Boy taken from mom in 2002 forgives his father

The teenage son of an Ohio man headed to prison for having abducted the boy from his mother in Alabama in 2002 says he forgives his father.

Julian Hernandez spoke Wednesday at 53-year-old Bobby Hernandez's sentencing hearing in Cleveland where a judge gave him four years in prison. Bobby Hernandez pleaded guilty last month to 15 counts that included kidnapping and interference to custody. Hernandez created a new life with new identities for himself and Julian in Cleveland, a city where he had no apparent ties and no one thought to look for him.

Julian Hernandez said his father gave him everything he needed in life. An attorney for the teen's mother read a statement on her behalf that explained the pain and suffering she had to endure during the 13 years she didn't know where Julian was or whether he was safe.

An Ohio man has been sentenced to four years in prison for taking his 5-year-old son from his mother in Alabama nearly 14 years ago and raising him under a new name in Cleveland. Fifty-three-year-old Bobby Hernandez broke down on Wednesday as he tried to explain why he took his son. The young man who's now 18 asked the judge to keep his father out of prison because he didn't want to lose his father like he did his mother. Prosecutors were hoping for a lengthy sentence, saying Hernandez deprived the boy of a relationship with his mother, who still lives in the Birmingham area.

Hernandez pleaded guilty in March to kidnapping and other charges. Investigators say his ruse fell apart last fall when the boy began applying for college. An Ohio man who authorities say took his 5-year-old son from his mother in Alabama nearly 14 years ago is scheduled to be sentenced in Cleveland.

Fifty-three-year-old Bobby Hernandez, of Cleveland, pleaded guilty last month to charges that included kidnapping, interference of custody, tampering with records and forgery. Hernandez's attorney has said he hopes the judge will consider how well Hernandez cared for his son, Julian, over the years and sentence him to probation on Wednesday.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty said after Hernandez's plea hearing that a lengthy sentence would be appropriate because Hernandez deprived the boy of a relationship with his mother.
(Source: abcnews)