Policy

Man Who Abducted His Children and Fled to Cuba After Parental Rights Were Terminated Following Pot Arrest Found Insane

Joshua Hakken

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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida engineer accused of abducting his children and sailing with them to Cuba has been found insane and will likely undergo treatment for mental illness before he can stand trial.

Circuit Judge Chet Tharpe said Wednesday that he'll decide on a treatment facility for Joshua Hakken on March 4. He'll also examine psychological reports on Hakken's wife, Sharyn.

Authorities say the couple kidnapped their two young sons from Sharyn Hakken's parents in April after they lost custody following run-ins with police. The Hakkens sailed to Cuba, where they were apprehended by U.S. authorities and sent back to Tampa.