Texas Dad Reunited with Daughter After 5-Month International Abduction

A father in Texas was was finally reunited with his 3-year-old daughter after her mother allegedly abducted the child and fled the country.

The Abduction of Rilee Crouch

On July 2, Dakota Crouch dropped off his 3-year-old daughter, Rilee, at her mother's home on South Padre Island for her custodial visit. Just days later, Dakota returned to pick Rilee up but was met with an empty home. Rilee's mother fled the country and took their daughter with her.

Rilee's mother, Lillian, holds duel citizenship in both the U.S. and Mexico, and ended up traveling to Mexico first. She was then accused of forging travel documents in attempts to reach Turkey. However, as attorney's at Lillians arraignment indicated, Lillian was kicked out of the Middle Eastern country after the documents were found to be fraudulent and was instead sent to Panama.

Lillian then allegedly stayed with her daughter at the Panama airport for two days since she was unable to have the proper paperwork to leave.

Rilee's Safe Return

This all originated from the allegation that Dakota was abusing Lillian during their marriage, leading to the divorce after less than three years as husband and wife. However, this was an unconfirmed statement.

Texas granted Dakota full custody of Rilee after repeated failed attempts of contacting her mother.

After five months, Dakota was finally reunited with Rilee, and Lillian was placed under house arrest. The state requested her bond be set at $1 million, but the judge eventually lowered it to $110,000.

You can check out the full story here from CBS 4 News Rio Grande Valley: