Hakken Kidnapping Update: Joshua Hakken, Fla. dad, took sons into Gulf of Mexico on sailboat shortly after abducting them, police say
(CBS) TAMPA, Fla. - Police say Joshua Hakken, the father who allegedly abducted his two non-custodial children in Tampa, was last seen taking his family into the Gulf of Mexico on a sailboat, CBS affiliate WTSP reports.
The information comes shortly after Hakken's pickup truck was discovered in a Madeira Beach parking garage. Investigators believe Hakken took 4-year-old Cole and 2-year-old Chase onto a 25-foot sailboat, hours after abducting them from their maternal grandmother's home early on Wednesday morning, according to the station.
The Sheriff's Office says it is not clear what direction the boat went after leaving the John's Pass area, nor do they know if the boat was still on the water during Thursday's stormy weather.
The boat is described as a 1972 Morgan 25M blue and white sailboat with "Salty" and a paw print in white on both sides. The stern has "St. Petersburg" in white lettering.
Deputies say Joshua Hakken took his kids just one day after he and his wife lost custody.
"He entered the residence, where he tied up the grandmother and then removed the children," said Corporal Kevin Bodie, a case detective with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
It happened in what neighbors describe as a quiet neighborhood, just as parents were taking their children to school, according to the station.
Hakken's wife Sharyn is also believed to be accompanying him. It was previously reported that Sharyn was considered a prime suspect along with Joshua Hakken, but now investigators say they aren't sure if she was part of the kidnapping plot or if she is a victim, WTSP reports.
"We do feel that they are in danger due to the nature, the means where they were taken," said Corporal Bodie.
A warrant is out for Joshua Hakken's arrest on two counts of kidnapping, two counts of child neglect, two counts of false imprisonment, one count of burglary with battery and one count of grand theft auto, the station says.
The children were originally removed from Hakken's custody last year in Louisiana following multiple drug charges. While in foster care, Joshua Hakken allegedly showed up at the foster care facility waving a gun and began beating on the front door. He reportedly fled the scene without his children after he was unable to enter the secured facility.
Anyone with any information regarding the location of these children are asked to immediately dial 911 or call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200. Both parents are considered armed and dangerous.
Complete coverage of the Hakken kidnapping on Crimesider
