>>> SHE WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO
GET THE KIDS.
NOTHING.
SHE'S UNOF THE SCARIEST PEOPLE I
HAVE EVER MET.
>>> TONIGHT -- THE "20/20"
EXCLUSIVE.
"ON THE RUN."
TWO LITTLE BOYS, TWO DIFFERENT
DADS AND THE SAME BEAUTIFUL
EX-WIFE.
GOING ON VACATION.
BUT NEVER COMING BACK.
>> YOU HAD NO IDEA THAT YOU WERE
MARRIED TO A MYSTERY WOMAN?
>> SHE WAS VERY GOOD AT
DISGUISING WHO SHE WAS.
>> A WOMAN FOR A TASTE WITH
MONEY AND MEN OR FATHERS WHO
SHOULDN'T BE WITH THEIR BOYS?
THE EX-HUSBANDS JOINING FORCES
IN THE INTERNATIONAL MANHUNT.
>> YOU GOT A INTERNET HIT THAT
PUTS HER IN THIS AREA.
>> FOLLOWING THE TRIAL FROM LOS
ANGELES, TO PARIS, TO GENEVA.
>>> AND THEN THE VIDEO THAT
SHOCKS EVERYONE.
>> THAT'S THE FIRST TIME THAT
YOU FIRST SAW YOUR BOYS SINCE
THEY WENT MISSING.
HOW STRANGE IS IT TO SEE YOUR
SON DISGUISE AS A LITTLE GIRL
HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD.
>> THAT MOM ALWAYS ONE STEP
AHEAD.
THE FATHERS, BREAKING DOWN.
>> I'M JUST FEELING OVERWHELM
RIGHT NOW.
>> "ON THE RUN."
HERE NOW, DAVID MUIR AND
ELIZABETH VARGAS.
>>> TONIGHT, A HEART-POUNDING
"20/20" EXCLUSIVE.
TWO LITTLE BOYS.
SUDDENLY GONE.
ABDUCTED BY THEIR OWN MOTHER AND
HER TWO EX-HUSBANDS, THE BOYS'
FATHERS BEGIN AN INTERNATIONAL
MANHUNT TO FIND THEM.
>> TONIGHT, WE TAKE YOU INSIDE
THAT HUNT FOR A FUGITIVE MOM
LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
WE'RE THERE FOR THE CALLS, THE
CLUES AND THE SHOCKING VIDEO
THAT DISGUISES AND YOU'LL SEE
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE FINALLY
TRACK DOWN THAT MOTHER ON THE
RUN.
>> OKAY, ONCE UPON A TIME --
>> Reporter: THIS IS THE STORY
OF TWO BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BOYS.
TWO BROTHERS.
LIKE SO MANY CHILDREN ACROSS
AMERICA TONIGHT, THEY ARE BOYS
WHO TRY TO PUSH THE LIMITS AT
BEDTIME.
>> THIS IS JERRY.
>> IT'S TIME TO GO TO BED.
>> NO, IT'S NOT.
>> YES, IT IS.
IT'S ALMOST 8:30.
>> GUESS WHAT, NO.
>> Reporter: AND THERE'S SASHA,
LAUGHING HERE AS HE JUMPS ON THE
TRAMPOLINE.
BUT THE LAUGHTER FROM BOTH BOYS
GOES SILENT.
THEY VANISH, AND WHAT FOLLOWS IS
THE INTERNATIONAL HUNT TO FIND
THEM.
AND WE'RE THERE AS THIS CASE
BREAKS WIDE OPEN.
BUT TO UNDERSTAND HOW AND WHY
THEY DISAPPEARED IN THE FIRST
PLACE, YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO
THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS WHERE
SCRIPTS AND SCREENPLAYS ARE
FILLED WITH FICTIONAL FAMILY
DRAMA.
BUT RIGHT HERE IN LOS ANGELES,
TWO DIFFERENT FATHERS FINDING
THEMSELVES IN THE MIDDLE OF A
REAL-LIFE HORROR.
FOR 18 MONTHS, BOTH OF THEM
ASKING WHERE ARE THEIR SONS?
THOSE BOYS?
AND WILL THE MOTHER WHO TOOK
THEM, THE WOMAN EACH OF THEM
WERE ONCE MARRIED TO, EVER BE
FOUND?
>> JERRY IS EVERYTHING TO ME.
WITHOUT HIM, I CAN'T LIVE, I
CAN'T BREATHE.
>> Reporter: CAN YOU HEAR HIS
VOICE STILL?
>> OH OF COURSE.
IT'S STRANGE BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE
I'M WITH HIM ALL THE TIME AND
EXCEPT HE'S NOT HERE.
>> Reporter: THE LAST TIME LARRY
HUMMEL SAW HIS SON SASHA, HE WAS
JUST 3 YEARS OLD.
>> HE ALWAYS SAID I WANT TO GO
ON THE PURPLE DINOSAUR.
>> HE WANTED A SUIT, HE WANTED
TO DRESS UP, SO WE GOT SUITS.
>> Reporter: BOB PFEIFER LAST
SAW HIS SON, JERRY HAD JUST
TURNED 9.
>> NO, IT TEARS AT THE CORE OF
EVERYTHING THAT ONE STANDS FOR
AND KNOWS ABOUT.
>> Reporter: THIS L.A. STORY
ACTUALLY BEGAN 6,000 MILES AWAY
FROM CALIFORNIA DURING A VISIT
TO PRAGUE, WHEN BOB PFEIFER
MEETS A STUNNING YOUNG WOMAN WHO
HAD AMERICAN DREAM.
HER NAME, MARIA MISEJOVA.
>> OH, SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL GIRL.
VERY TALL, ATHLETIC, BLONDE,
BLUE EYES.
BEAUTIFUL GIRL.
>> Reporter: AN ACCOMPLISHED
RUNNER SHE TELLS BOB SHE'S
TRAINING TO JOIN THE OLYMPIC
TEAM FROM HER NATIVE SLOVAKIA.
AND THAT SHE'S PLANNING FOR
MEDICAL SCHOOL.
WHAT DID YOU SEE IN HER?
>> INNOCENCE.
I WAS LIVING IN HOLLYWOOD, A
TOWN FILLED WITH THE
DISINGENUOUS.
AND I THOUGHT I MET AN INNOCENT
PERSON.
>> Reporter: AND BOB, A
HOLLYWOOD INSIDER IS ATTRACTIVE
TO HER TOO.
A HIGH-LEVEL RECORD EXECUTIVE IN
THE '90s, HE THEN WORKS IN THE
BOOMING VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY.
BUT SOMETHING IS MISSING.
HE IS READY FOR A FAMILY, AND SO
IS SHE.
SO YOU MARRIED IN JULY AND SHE
WAS PREGNANT WITHIN A COUPLE OF
MONTHS.
>> YES.
>> AND WAS THERE EXCITEMENT?
>> I THOUGHT THERE WAS.
>> Reporter: MARIA MOVES TO LOS
ANGELES, BUT THE LOVE STORY BORN
IN PRAGUE - BEGINS TO SOUR EVEN
BEFORE THE BABY ARRIVES.
>> IT STARTS TO FALL APART?
>> EVERYTHING I THOUGHT SHE WAS,
WAS FALSE.
>> Reporter: IN FACT, BOB HAS
ALREADY FILED FOR DIVORCE BY THE
TIME THEIR SON JERRY IS BORN.
AND WHAT WOULD FOLLOW IS A
BRUISING BATTLE OVER CUSTODY OF
THEIR LITTLE BOY, CAUGHT IN THE
MIDDLE WATCHING IT ALL UNFOLD.
>> DID THEY LIVE HAPPILY EVER
AFTER?
>> WELL, THEY LIVED, NO SO
HAPPILY.
>> WAS IT CONTENTIOUS, OR --
>> IT WAS CONTENTIOUS, BUT I WAS
VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN MY SON'S
LIFE.
>> Reporter: BOB'S LOVE LIFE IS
UNRAVELING AND IT SEEMS HIS
PROFESSIONAL LIFE IS TOO.
HE FINDS HIMSELF FACING CHARGES
AND PLEADING TO A FELONY IN A
HIGH-PROFILE CASE, THE PELLICANO
WIRETAPPING CASE.
AND WHEN YOU LOOK BACK ON IT,
WHAT, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> REGRET.
>> Reporter: PFEIFER ENDS UP
HELPING THE PROSECUTION AND
LATER, JUDGES DECIDE HIS PAST
SHOULD NOT GET IN THE WAY OF
CUSTODY OF HIS LITTLE BOY.
AND AS IT TURNED OUT, BEAUTIFUL
MARIA HAS BLEMISHES TOO.
HER FRIENDS SAY THEY SEE THE
WHOLESOME, HEALTH-CONSCIOUS MOM.
BUT OTHERS SEE A DIFFERENT SIDE,
A WOMAN WHO ENJOYS THE LOS
ANGELES NIGHTLIFE COMPANY OF
WEALTHY MEN AND THERE ARE
QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE SHE'S
GETTING HER CASH.
A JUDGE AT ONE POINT SAYING, SHE
SHOWED AN APPALLING LACK OF
CREDIBILITY.
>> THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO
PERSONALITIES -- YOU HAVE THE
WHOLE FOODS BIO, ORGANIC, COTTON
ONLY, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE
PARTY, DRUGS, ALCOHOL.
>> SO THESE WERE TWO VERY
DIFFERENT IMAGES?
>> Reporter: THEY FINALLY SETTLE
ON SHARING CUSTODY OF JERRY.
BOB IS TICKLED AND SO IS HIS
BOY.
MARIA, MEANWHILE, MOVES ON WITH
HER LIFE.
MEETING A NEW MAN. LARRY HUMMEL,
A HOLLYWOOD VOICE-OVER AGENT,
AND LIKE BOB BEFORE HIM, FALLS
HEAD OVER HEELS FOR THE STUNNING
SLOVAKIAN.
DO YOU REMEMBER PROPOSING TO
HER?
>> IT WAS ON MY BIRTHDAY AND I
SAID THAT, THAT THE MOST JOY
THAT I COULD FOR MY BIRTHDAY
WOULD BE IF YOU WOULD MARRY ME.
>> AND SHE SAID?
>> SHE SAID YES.
>> Reporter: SHE SAYS A LOT OF
OTHER THINGS TOO.
FOR ONE, THAT HER NAME IS
"MAYA," NO LONGER GOING BY
MARIA.
WHAT DID SHE TELL YOU ABOUT HER
BACKGROUND, HER LIFE?
>> SHE SAID THAT SHE WAS A
MEDICAL STUDENT.
SHE SAID HER MOTHER WAS A DOCTOR
IN PRAGUE.
>> reporter: HOW MUCH OF THAT
WAS TRUE?
>> VERY LITTLE OF IT.
>> BUT YOU HAD NO IDEA THAT YOU
WERE MARRIED TO A MYSTERY WOMAN?
>> CORRECT.
>> Reporter: AND JUST LIKE BOB
BEFORE HIM, NOW LARRY AND MARIA
ARE EXPECTING A BABY.
AND SOON ANOTHER NASTY BREAK UP
TOO.
>> SHE WAS VERY MUCH ABOUT
MATERIAL THINGS, AND SHE HAD TO
HAVE THE BEST STOLLER.
>> Reporter: MARIA LEAVES HIM,
AND LARRY IS CRUSHED.
BUT YOU WERE HAVING A HARD TIME
WITH THE BREAK UP?
>> OH FOR SURE. IT WAS --
IT TOOK A TOLL ON ME.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS MARIA TELLS
HIM SASHA MIGHT NOT EVEN BE HIS
SON THE BREAK UP HE ADMITS LEADS
TO A MENTAL BREAKDOWN.
LARRY SO HEART SICK REACHES OUT
TO AN UNLIKELY ALLY, THE FIRST
HUSBAND, BOB, WHO HAS HEARD IT
ALL BEFORE.
>> IT WAS LIKE, HAVING A MENTOR
IN THE SITUATION.
>> AND I SAID, YOU DON'T
UNDERSTAND, YOU ARE AT WAR.
>> SHE MADE SOME SERIOUS
ALLEGATIONS ABOUT YOU.
>> MM-HMM.
>> SHE SAID YOU WERE ABUSIVE.
>> NOT TRUE.
>> CONTROLLING.
>> NOT TRUE.
>> A DRUG ADDICT.
>> NOT TRUE.
>> AND THEN THE CUSTODY BATTLE.
>> YES.
>> Reporter: NOW THE SEQUEL THE
SECOND CUSTODY BATTLE TO COME.
MARIA WANTS FULL CUSTODY OF HER
YOUNGEST SON SASHA.
BUT LARRY WANTS SASHA TOO.
AND LIKE THE FIRST HUSBAND,
LARRY, TOO, QUESTIONS HER
MYSTERIOUS INCOME.
THE JUDGES HEAR THE ALLEGATIONS
FROM BOTH SIDE AND IN THE END
STILL DETERMINE THAT BOTH SHOULD
TAKE CARE OF THEIR SON.
YOU HAD SASHA DURING THE WEEK A
COUPLE OF NIGHTS, YOU HAD HIM
EVERY OTHER WEEKEND?
THE PROUD DAD TAKING THIS HOME
VIDEO OF HIS SON ON THE DRUM
SET.
BUT LARRY HAS NO IDEA HOW OFTEN
HE WILL SOON BE LOOKING BACK AT
THIS VIDEO. THE LAST ONE HE
WOULD TAKE OF HIS BOY SASHA.
IT IS SUMMER 2012, AND MARIA HAS
PLANNED A SUMMER VACATION BACK
TO HER NATIVE SLOVAKIA WITH BOTH
OF HER BOYS.
DID YOU KNOW THIS FAMILY VISIT
WAS COMING, THIS TRIP BACK TO
SLOVAKIA?
>> YES, SHE HAD DONE IT BEFORE.
>> Reporter: BUT ON PREVIOUS
TRIPS, MARIA HAD ALWAYS COME
BACK.
NOT THIS TIME. FLIGHT
9683 LANDING IN LOS ANGELES AND
THEY ARE NOT ON IT.
>> SHE WAS NOT ON THE PLANE SHE
SAID SHE WAS GONNA BE ON, AND I
JUST REMEMBER THINKING, THIS
IS SO SURREAL.
>> Reporter: A MOTHER AND HER
TWO BOYS GONE.
WHEN WE COME BACK --
"20/20" ON THE INTERNATIONAL
HUNT FOR THE FUGITIVE MOM.
THE ADDRESSES, THE FUGITIVE
SQUAD LAUNCHED TO FIND HER AND
THE CRUCIAL CLUE FROM PERFECT
STRANGERS.
THE VIDEO THAT IS ABOUT TO STUN
EVERYONE.
HOW SHE IS DISGUISING THE BOYS.
WHEN WE COME BACK.
>>> WE CONTINUE WITH "ON THE
RUN."
HERE AGAIN, DAVID MUIR.
>> Reporter: SOMEWHERE IN EUROPE
A MOTHER AND HER TWO SONS ON THE
RUN.
AND WE'RE RIGHT THERE ON THE
TRAIL.
"20/20" FOLLOWING THE LEADS.
THE TIPS.
TWO FATHERS ARE CONVINCED WILL
BRING BACK THEIR BOYS.
MARIA PFEIFER HAS TAKEN HER TWO
SONS ON A SUMMER VACATION TO HER
NATIVE SLOVAKIA, DEFYING HER TWO
EX-HUSBANDS AND THE COURTS, SHE
DOES NOT RETURN.
HER LAST E-MAIL TO ONE OF THE
DADS, SENT JUST HOURS AFTER THEY
WERE SUPPOSED TO LAND BACK IN
AMERICA, SAYING "I HAD TO
RESCHEDULE.
THE YOUNGEST BOY WAS SICK.
THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING."
>> SHE WENT DARK ON HER PHONES,
WENT DARK ON E-MAIL.
>> WE COULDN'T LOCATE THEM OR
FIND THEM.
>> Reporter: AUTHORITIES SAY
WHAT MARIA HAS DONE IS SADLY
GROWING INCREASINGLY COMMON.
JUST THIS WEEK, THE STATE
DEPARTMENT REVEALING THAT 1,000
CHILDREN HAVE BEEN TAKEN THIS
WAY.
BUT, THIS CASE IS UNIQUE, NOT
ONLY BECAUSE MARIA HAS THE TWO
BOYS FROM TWO DIFFERENT DADS,
BUT SHE DIDN'T RETURN TO HER
HOME COUNTRY TO SIMPLY RESUME
HER OLD LIFE SHE SIMPLY
DISAPPEARED, AUTHORITIES ARE
CONVINCED THIS IS A MOTHER ON
THE RUN.
>> IT'S TRAGIC ENOUGH TO TAKE A
CHILD AWAY FROM ONE OF THE
PARENTS, IT'S ANOTHER THING TO
LIVE A FUGITIVE LIFE WITH A
CHILD.
>> Reporter: WITH MARIA FAILING
TO RETURN FROM THAT VACATION AS
PROMISED, THE LOS ANGELES COURTS
NOW AWARD FULL CUSTODY OF THE
BOYS TO THEIR FATHERS.
AND BOTH MEN GET TO WORK.
>> THE WORLD IS TOO SMALL A
PLACE.
EVERYONE LEAVES A FOOTPRINT.
>> Reporter: BUT THE WEEKS
QUICKLY TURN INTO MONTHS.
MARIA REMAINS ONE STEP AHEAD.
CHANGING E-MAIL ADDRESSES.
ELUDING A BOUNTY HUNTER HIRED BY
LARRY TO TRY TO FIND THE BOYS.
IT DIDN'T WORK.
>> WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE WERE
DOING, AND WE JUST KIND OF THREW
A LOT OF MONEY AT IT.
>> Reporter: THE OTHER DAD, BOB,
WANTS FAR MORE THAN A BOUNTY
HUNTER, HE WANTS THE LAW ON HIS
SIDE.
HIS FRIEND STACEY DUTTON HELPS
HIM.
>> HE DEVOTED EVERY SINGLE
WAKING MOMENT TO TRYING TO GET
HIS KID BACK.
>> Reporter: HE SPENDS MONTHS
PRESSING FOR CRIMINAL CHARGES.
MEETING WITH THE LOS ANGELES
POLICE AND THE D.A.
AND HE'S ABOUT TO TURN TO ONE
MORE PLACE.
>> WE HAD NO MONEY LEFT, HAD NO
LEADS.
SO THE IDEA CAME UP TO GO
PUBLICAND USE SOCIAL MEDIA.
>> Reporter: HE DECIDES TO BUILD
AN ARMY FROM THE VERY KITCHEN
WHERE HE USED TO MAKE JERRY
BREAKFAST.
FACEBOOK.
TWITTER.
ALL OF IT.
TO BRING JERRY HOME.
>> I HELPED HIM BUILD THE
FACEBOOK PAGE AND BUILD, LITTLE
"JERRY'S ARMY."
>> WE HAVE 12,110 PEOPLE ON IT.
>> Reporter: E-MAILS BEGIN
POURING IN.
THE MOTHER NO LONGER IN
SLOVAKIA, BUT NOW HOPSCOTCHING
AROUND EUROPE, SHE'D LEFT
POSSIBLE TRACES IN PRAGUE, IN
MUNICH.
THEN THE MUSCLE BEHIND THE
MOVEMENT BOB IS HOPING FOR, THE
L.A. D.A. PRESSING CHARGES
AGAINST MARIA.
HE NOW KNOWS IF HE FINALLY GETS
A SOLID TIP HE HAS THE CHARGES
TO GO AFTER HER.
>> SHE'S CHARGED NOW.
>> Reporter: I MEAN, THIS IS A
BIG DEAL.
>> THAT'S HUGE.
I PRAYED FOR A YEAR.
>> Reporter: RIGHT AROUND THEN,
THAT MARIA MIGHT BE SENDING
E-MAILS FROM RIGHT HERE IN
PARIS.
AND THAT TIP CAME IN FROM ONE OF
HER OWN FRIENDS IN LOS ANGELES.
AND BASED ON THAT NEW TIP, BOB
TELLS US THAT AFTER ALL OF THESE
MONTHS HE CAN STILL HEAR HIS
SON'S VOICE.
HE WAS ABOUT TO USE HIS OWN.
HE HEADS TO PARIS AND WITHOUT AN
APPOINTMENT WALKS STRAIGHT INTO
THE U.S EMBASSY THERE DEMANDING
A MEETING WITH SPECIAL AGENT
EUGENE CASEY WITH THE FBI.
HAD YOU EVER SEEN A CASE LIKE
THIS BEFORE, A DAD?
>> NO.
>> Reporter: WHO SHOWS UP AT THE
PARIS EMBASSY?
>> NEVER.
>> Reporter: THE AGENT IS
UPFRONT ABOUT THE YEARS THAT
OFTEN GO BY WHEN CHILDREN ARE
STOLEN, TAKEN OVERSEAS.
WHEN BOB ASKED YOU, WHAT ARE THE
CHANCES I'M GOING TO GET MY SON
BACK?
YOU HAD TO BE HONEST WITH HIM?
>> YEAH, I TOLD BOB SHE COULD
HAVE TOLD THEM YOU'RE DEAD.
>> Reporter: YOU WARNED BOB THAT
THESE KIDS, THEIR NAMES COULD BE
DIFFERENT, THEIR APPEARANCES
COULD BE DIFFERENT?
>> YES.
>> Reporter: BUT, DESPITE THE
ODDS, AGENT CASEY IMMEDIATELY
BEGINS CHASING THE LEADS FROM
THAT DAD.
TIPS FROM PERFECT STRANGERS ALL
OVER THE WORLD AND THAT ONE CLUE
THAT SHE COULD BE E-MAILING FROM
PARIS.
SO, YOU ALERT THE FUGITIVE SQUAD
TO HUNT DOWN THIS MARIA PFEIFER
JUST OUTSIDE PARIS?
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> Reporter: AND THEY WERE ON
THEIR WAY?
>> YES.
>> Reporter: THEY FIND AN
ADDRESS.
AN APARTMENT BUILDING WITH A
MARIA PFEIFFER LIVING IN IT.
APARTMENT 129.
MARIA PFEIFER.
SHE POINTS US TO THE NEXT
BUILDING OVER, WHERE WE FIND HER
NAME ON THE DOOR.
WE ASK NEIGHBORS IF THEY'D EVER
SEEN THAT BEAUTIFUL YOUNG MOTHER
AND HER TWO BLONDE BOYS.
DO YOU KNOW HER?
>> NO.
>> Reporter: EVERYONE TELLING US
WHAT THEY TOLD INVESTIGATORS.
THAT IT WAS THE WRONG
MARIA PFEIFER.
THE LEAD IS A BUST.
NOW BACK IN CALIFORNIA, BOB IS
BACK ONLINE.
AND WHAT HE DOES NEXT CHANGES
EVERYTHING.
CONCENTRATING ON MARIA'S HOME
COUNTRY NOW, SLOVAKIA.
POSTING IMAGES OF MARIA AND THE
BOYS EVERYWHERE.
>> AND LITERALLY POST IT ON
EVERY FACEBOOK PAGE IN THE
TARGET AREA.
>> Reporter: REPORTERS IN
SLOVAKIA GET WORD OF THIS AND
SOON START ASKING THE QUESTIONS
BOB'S BEEN ASKING FOR 17 MONTHS
NOW.
THE HEADLINES NOW EVERYWHERE.
THE BLONDE MARIA AND HER BOYS
MISSING FOR MORE THAN A YEAR
WHEN SUDDENLY THE BIGGEST BREAK
IN THE CASE.
THE FUGITIVE MOTHER AND HER BOYS
SPOTTED.
LOOK AT THE VIDEO OF MARIA AND
HER SONS.
SHE'S RIGHT THERE IN THE ORANGE
SHORTS OUT IN THE OPEN AT A
RESORT IN SLOVAKIA.
AND WHAT'S MOST STARTLING, TAKE
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BOYS.
BOTH OF THEM NOW HAVE LONG HAIR.
THE YOUNGEST, SASHA WEARING
PIGTAILS.
COMPLETE STRANGERS SENDING THESE
CLIPS TO BOB AFTER HEARING ABOUT
THE MOTHER ON THE RUN.
AND THAT'S SASHA, TO THE LEFT?
>> THAT'S SASHA, IN PIGTAILS,
DISGUISED AS A GIRL, IN THE
YELLOW SHIRT.
>> Reporter: AND JERRY IS COMING
AROUND RIGHT HERE, RIGHT?
>> JERRY.
JERRY IS IN THE -- WITH THE LONG
HAIR.
>> Reporter: HOW STRANGE IS IT
TO SEE YOUR SON DISGUISED AS A
LITTLE GIRL, HALFWAY AROUND THE
WORLD?
>> IT'S SURREAL.
>> Reporter: AND JUST AS SPECIAL
AGENT CASEY HAD PREDICTED TO BOB
BEFORE, ANOTHER CLUE COMES MARIA
HAS GIVEN THE BOYS NEW NAMES.
THE SOURCES TELLING BOB THAT
JERRY IS NO LONGER JERRY.
NOW "MILOS."
SASHA IS NOW "ELIE."
AND TO HIDE HER MOVEMENTS, MARIA
IS NO LONGER USING CREDIT CARDS.
>> SHE IS USING A LOT OF CASH.
>> Reporter: WHERE IS THIS CASH
COMING FROM?
>> THAT'S THE MILLION-DOLLAR
QUESTION.
IF WE COULD FOLLOW THE CASH, WE
WOULD HAVE HER.
>> Reporter: BOB TURNS THE
STUNNING IMAGES OVER TO THE FBI.
THE INTERNATIONAL DRAGNET IS NOW
TIGHTENING.
AND ONE MORE CRUCIAL CLUE IS
ABOUT TO EMERGE.
>> I'M WAITING RIGHT NOW FOR THE
WORD FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT TO GET
ON A PLANE AND GO TO EUROPE.
>> Reporter: YOU HOPE THAT CALL
COMES?
>> I DREAM OF AND PRAY THAT CALL
COMES.
>> Reporter: WHEN WE COME BACK,
THEY GET THE CALL AND BOTH
FATHERS CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT
THEY'RE HEARING.
WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH MARIA?
"20/20" IS RIGHT THERE WITH THE
FATHERS FOR THAT RACE TO THE
AIRPORT.
THEIR BOYS NOW WITHIN REACH.
BUT, CAN THEY GET TO THEM IN
TIME?
WHEN WE COME BACK.
>>> "20/20'S" "ON THE RUN"
CONTINUES.
>> Reporter: IT'S LESS THAN A
WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS WHEN
SUDDENLY TWO FATHERS GET PHONE
CALLS IN LOS ANGELES.
>> HELLO.
>> HIS EX-WIFE MARIA IS ABOUT TO
BE ARRESTED.
>> Reporter: WE'RE THERE AS
LARRY ANSWERS THE PHONE, AND
WHAT HE HEARS, HE CANNOT
BELIEVE.
HIS EX-WIFE, MARIA IS UNDER
ARREST.
>> IT'S SURREAL, I MEAN I DON'T
EVEN BELIEVE IT'S HAPPENING.
YOU KNOW?
>> Reporter: "20/20" FOLLOWING
THOSE LEADS ACROSS EUROPE.
LOOKING FOR THE FUGITIVE MOTHER.
THE E-MAILS.
THE TIPS FROM STRANGERS.
AND FINALLY THAT CALL THOSE
FATHERS HAD BEEN WAITING FOR.
WHEN THE FIRST OF THOSE CALLS
CAME, THOSE DADS TOLD TO RUSH TO
THE AIRPORT.
THEIR DESTINATION?
RIGHT HERE IN GENEVA,
SWITZERLAND, ONE OF THE RICHEST,
MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES IN THE
WORLD.
MARIA HAD BEEN SPOTTED IN ONE OF
THE LUXURY HOTELS HERE.
IN FACT, THE TIP CAME FROM A
WOMAN HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD,
WHO HEARD THE STORY OF THE
MOTHER ON THE RUN, THE WOMAN
E-MAILING BOB FROM 6,000 MILES
AWAY, SAYING MARIA HAD BEEN
LIVING HERE IN GENEVA WITH THE
CHILDREN AND HER MOTHER, EVEN
PUTTING THE CHILDREN IN A SCHOOL
JUST OVER THE BORDER IN FRANCE
HERE AND ONE MORE FAMILIAR CLUE.
THE WOMAN SAYING THE BOYS HAD
BEEN INTRODUCED TO HER AS MILOS
AND ELIE.
>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GOT MY
PASSPORT.
>> Reporter: LARRY RACES TO THE
AIRPORT IN LOS ANGELES.
>> GENEVA VIA FRANKFURT.
>> Reporter: ALREADY THERE BOB,
WHO ONCE FELL IN LOVE WITH THE
SAME WOMAN -- NOW BOTH OF THEM
SO CLOSE TO CATCHING HER, ALL OF
THIS MOVING AT LIGHTNING SPEED.
THE FATHERS NOW RUSHING TO GET
TO GENEVA BEFORE MARIA CAN POST
BAIL AND FLEE WITH THE BOYS
AGAIN.
THERE ARE NO PROMISES.
JUST LISTEN TO BOB ON THE PLANE
HE KNOWS HOW MUCH IS AT STAKE.
>> WE'RE GOING BE REALLY BEAT
UP BUT I GOT TO BE STRONG FOR
JERRY AND BE STRONG.
>> WHAT A DAY.
WHAT A DAY.
PICTURES FOR HIS PASSPORT.
>> reporter: HIS ATTORNEY THERE
WARNING HIM - SHE TELLS US THERE
IS STILL PLENTY THAT CAN GO
WRONG.
>> THAT THE MOTHER MIGHT TRY TO
GET AN ORDER FROM EITHER THE
FRENCH COURT OR THE SWISS COURT
TO PREVENT LARRY FROM TAKING THE
CHILD HOME TO CALIFORNIA.
>> Reporter: HER WORDS
PROPHETIC.
BECAUSE BY THE TIME BOB'S FLIGHT
ARRIVES A STUNNING PHONE CALL.
>> Reporter: WE'RE THERE AS BOB
LEARNS MARIA HAS MADE BAIL.
SHE'S TRYING TO GET TO THE BOYS
FIRST.
THE CHILDREN WILL NOW STAY IN AN
ORPHANAGE AND ALL HOPES OF THOSE
BOYS RETURNING TO AMERICA WITH
THEIR FATHERS IS IN JEOPARDY.
>> JERRY WAS FREE TWO HOURS AGO
AND NOW HE'S NOT.
>> Reporter: BOB RUSHES TO TALK
TO HIS FRENCH ATTORNEY.
WHO ACTUALLY SAW HIS SON, JERRY,
BEFORE HE WAS WHISKED AWAY.
WE LISTEN TO HER DESCRIBE WHAT
JERRY LOOKS LIKE.
>> HE'S VERY THIN AND VERY LONG
HAIR.
>> DOES HE KNOW I'M COMING?
>> YES, I SAID TO HIM YOU WERE
COMING AND HE WAS SURPRISED.
>> Reporter: AND BOB'S ATTORNEY
SAYS IT SEEMS MARIA IS STILL
DISGUISING HER BOYS.
SHE SAYS, EVEN THE FRENCH POLICE
AT THE SCHOOL WERE CONFUSED.
>> THE POLICEMAN POLICEMAN SAID,
I TAKE HER UNDER MY PROTECTION.
AND I SAID, NO IT'S A BOY.
>> SO IT SUCKS, IT'S A MAJOR
HICCUP.
I MEAN, THEY ARE NOT LETTING
ANYBODY SEE THEM.
>> THERE'S NO WAY A CHILD IS
HAPPY IN AN ORPHANAGE, IN A
SYSTEM LIKE THIS, AND I'M
APPALLED THAT I WASN'T ABLE TO
PROTECT MY SON.
>> THEY MUST HEAD TO COURT.
AS CHRISTMAS DAY APPROACHES,
BOTH FATHERS WITH PERHAPS THEIR
ONE CHRISTMAS GIFT, BOB AND
LARRY LEARN THEY CAN EACH HAVE
ONE HOUR WITH THEIR SONS.
IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THEY
HAVE SEEN THEM IN 18 MONTHS.
>> HE'S IN SUCH HORRIBLE SHAPE.
HE'S BONE THIN, AND THE COPS
THOUGHT HE WAS A GIRL.
>> Reporter: WE'RE WITH LARRY AS
HE HEADS TO A FRENCH TOY STORE.
ARMED WITH A LIST, BUT WITHOUT
THE LANGUAGE.
>> YOU KNOW HOW TO SAY PUPPETS
IN FRENCH?
PUPPETS?
PUPPETS?
>> YEAH!
>> Reporter: MORNING ARRIVES,
DAYS HAVE PASSED SINCE THEY
ARRIVED HERE IN FRANCE THINKING
THEY WERE BRINGING THEIR BOYS
HOME.
INSTEAD PREPARING FOR THAT ONE
HOUR VISIT.
AND AS WE TRAVEL WITH THEM,
LARRY REVEALS TO US HE'S STILL
LOOKING OVER HIS SHOULDER.
>> GOOD MORNING.
>> I'M TERRIFIED THAT MARIA'S
GOING TO FIND OUT THAT WE'RE
HERE AND, YOU KNOW, SHE WILL
STOP AT NOTHING TO GET THE KIDS,
NOTHING.
>> Reporter: AND BOB WONDERS
WHAT HIS 10-YEAR-OLD SON JERRY
HAS BEEN TOLD ABOUT HIM, IF HE
THOUGHT HIS FATHER WOULD EVER
COME.
>> I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW NERVOUS
OR ANXIOUS I AM TO SEE WHAT IS
UP, IF HE RUNS IN MY ARMS OR IF
HE'S FREAKED OUT AND
BRAINWASHED.
>> Reporter: FINALLY, INSIDE
THOSE GRIM WALLS FATHER'S DAY
COMES EARLY.
WE SEE IMAGES OF BOB AND JERRY
REUNITING FOR THE FIRST TIME.
>> HE HUGGED ME AND HE SAID, I
LOVE YOU AND I MISSED YOU.
AND WE JUST HELD EACH OTHER.
>> Reporter: YOU HAVE BEEN
WAITING FOR THAT MOMENT?
>> YES, AND HE WAS HAPPY.
IT WAS JUST, LIKE, WE HAD NEVER
BEEN APART.
>> Reporter: WHILE IN ANOTHER
ROOM, SASHA JUST 4 YEARS OLD,
BARELY SAYING A WORD.
HE SPEAKS LITTLE ENGLISH
TO BREAK THROUGH TO HIS SON.
>> I WAS PREPARED FOR THE WORST,
BUT I COULD TELL HE RECOGNIZED
ME RIGHT AWAY.
HE KNEW THAT I WAS SOMEONE I
RECOGNIZED.
>> Reporter: IT GOES BY QUICKLY.
THEIR HOUR IS UP.
THEY RETURN TO THEIR HOTELS,
STILL WAITING AND STILL HOPING.
>> I'M JUST FEELING OVERWHELMED
RIGHT NOW.
HE WALKED ME HAND IN HAND AND
HUGGED ME AND SAID, ARE YOU
COMING BACK?
WHEN DO YOU COME BACK?
AND WHEN DO I GET OUT OF HERE
WITH YOU?
THAT'S WHAT HE WANTS.
>> Reporter: BUT NO ONE KNOWS
WHAT THAT FRENCH JUDGE WILL
DECIDE.
AS WE FOLLOW THAT FUGITIVE
MOTHER WHO WAS ON THE RUN FOR SO
LONG WITH HER BOYS, WE WONDER,
IS SHE NOW READY FOR BATTLE?
AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE TRACK
HER DOWN?
PLUS, THE JUDGE'S DECISION THAT
SURPRISES THEM ALL WHEN WE COME
BACK.
>>> "ON THE RUN" CONTINUES.
ONCE AGAIN, DAVID MUIR.
>> Reporter: IT'S NOW THE DAY
AFTER CHRISTMAS, BOB PFEIFER AND
LARRY HUMMEL HAVE BOTH SPENT
ONLY THOSE FEW PRECIOUS MOMENTS
IN THE ORPHANAGE WITH THE BOYS
THEY HAD NOT SEEN IN 18 MONTHS.
WE'RE WITH THEM AS THEY NOW
PREPARE TO HEAD INTO A FRENCH
COURT TO ASK A JUDGE FOR PERHAPS
THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS GIFT OF
ALL -- THAT THEY BE ALLOWED TO
TAKE THEIR SONS HOME.
WE LISTEN IN AS BOB'S LAWYER
GIVES HIM LAST-MINUTE COACHING.
>> YOU'RE A NICE GUY.
VERY SMART.
BE YOURSELF.
>> Reporter: INSIDE THE HALL OF
JUSTICE WHERE CAMERAS ARE NOT
ALLOWED, THEY COME FACE TO FACE
FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH THEIR
EX-WIFE, MARIA.
BUT WE WANTED TO HEAR FROM MARIA
OURSELVES, COULD WE FIND HER?
WE DRIVE THROUGH GENEVA TO THE
ADDRESS WHERE IT'S BELIEVED
SHE'D BEEN LIVING WITH HER TWO
BOYS.
WE KNOCK, THERE'S NO ANSWER.
SUDDENLY, A WINDOW OPENS.
IT'S MARIA'S MOTHER.
"2020" WE CAME ALL THE WAY FROM
AMERICA TO TALK TO YOU.
THAT SAME GRANDMOTHER WHO RACED
TO THAT SCHOOL, TO THE BOYS,
BEFORE THEIR FATHERS COULD GET
TO THEM.
HOW ARE YOU?
>> NO, NOT GOOD.
I AM SAD FOR MY GRANDSONS.
>> Reporter: YOU ARE SAD FOR
YOUR GRANDSONS?
>> YES.
>> Reporter: SHE TELLS US TO
COME BACK IN ONE HOUR.
BUT WE WAIT, RIGHT ACROSS THE
STREET, AND SUDDENLY MARIA
APPEARS.
SHE HAS NOT SEEN HER BOYS, NOT
SPOKEN WITH THEM, SINCE THEY
WERE SENT TO THAT ORPHANAGE.
BUT SHE IS NOW READY TO TALK TO
US.
DO YOU THINK ABOUT THEM EVERY
MOMENT?
>> EVERY SECOND.
AND EVEN IN BETWEEN.
>> Reporter: SHE TELLS ME SHE'S
LOST WITHOUT THEM.
>> I LOVE THEM MORE THAN MY
LIFE, AND I'M NOT SCARED TO
FIGHT FOR THEM.
>> reporter: SO, WHY LEAVE?
WHY TAKE THE BOYS AND RUN?
>> I DIDN'T RUN.
I LEFT ON FAMILY VACATION.
I JUST DIDN'T RETURN.
I WAS GETTING E-MAILS FROM MR.
HUMMEL'S LAWYERS, ALLEGING WHEN
I COME BACK MY CUSTODY'S GOING
TO BE TAKEN AWAY.
>> Reporter: JUST THE LATEST
THREAT SHE SAYS FROM TWO
HUSBANDS DURING TEN YEARS OF
LEGAL BATTLES.
SHE ARGUES SHE COULD NOT AFFORD
ATTORNEYS ANYMORE.
UP AGAINST TWO DADS AND THEIR
TEAMS.
>> I WAS NOT SLEEPING.
I WAS PREPARING FOR COURT
HEARING.
GOING THROUGH PAPERS WITH MY
BROKEN ENGLISH.
WHILE JERRY WAS ASKING WHY I AM
NOT GOING TO SLEEP, WHY AM I
CRYING AND GOING THROUGH
PAPERWORKS?
I MEAN, IT WAS SO ABSURD.
>> Reporter: BUT WE ASK WHY NOT
SHARE CUSTODY OF BOTH BOYS.
YOU WERE SHARING CUSTODY WITH
JERRY?
>> YES.
>> Reporter: WERE YOU PREPARED
TO SHARE CUSTODY OF SASHA?
>> YES.
TO THE EXTENT AS IT IS SAFE.
>> Reporter: HIS SAFETY.
SHE SAYS SHE HAD CONCERNS OVER
THE YOUNGEST BOY AFTER SASHA
RETURNED WITH MINOR INJURIES
AFTER VISITS WITH HIS FATHER.
SHE ALSO TELLS US SHE HAD
QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT FATHER'S
MENTAL HEALTH.
THE JUDGES LOOKED AT THAT,
THOUGH.
THE JUDGES KNEW THAT ABOUT
MR. HUMMEL.
>> THE JUDGE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT
IS GOING ON THERE.
HE HEARS, HE SEES THE E-MAILS,
BUT HE DOESN'T SEE ALL THE
EVIDENCE.
HE DOESN'T SEE WHAT HAPPENED.
>> Reporter: BUT WE ASK HER IS
IT FAIR, THAT THE CHILDREN WERE
BEING FORCED TO LIVE A LIFE ON
THE RUN.
>> THEY WERE NOT LIVING A GYPSY
LIFE.
THEY HAD A VERY GOOD LIFE HERE.
JERRY WILL SIGN UP FOR NEXT YEAR
TO PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT COSTS
$20,000 A YEAR.
>> Reporter: HOW COULD YOU EVEN
AFFORD THAT?
>> I DIDN'T AFFORD IT, BUT I
HAVE HELP.
>> Reporter: BUT HOW ARE YOU
MAKING A LIVING?
HOW WERE GETTING THE CASH YOU
HAD?
>> THE CASH?
WELL, I HAD A FIANCE WHO WAS
TAKING CARE OF US.
>> Reporter: SO YOU HAVE NEVER
MADE ANY EXTRA CASH?
>> NEVER.
>> AS AN ESCORT, AS A COMPANION?
>> NO.
>> Reporter: AND WHAT ABOUT THE
HAIR?
THE YOUNGEST IN THAT VIDEO IN
PIGTAILS.
WE SAW THE VIDEO OF THE BOYS.
SASHA HAD VERY LONG HAIR. HIS
HAIR WAS IN PIGTAILS.
JERRY'S HAIR WAS VERY LONG.
>> I WANTED A LITTLE DISGUISE.
>> Reporter: AND WHAT WAS YOUR
REASON?
>> MY REASON WAS I WAS AFRAID
FOR MY LIFE AND MY CHILDREN'S
LIFE.
>> Reporter: SHE TAKES US INSIDE
HER SMALL APARTMENT, ARGUING THE
BOYS WERE WELL TAKEN CARE OF
DURING THEIR 18 MONTHS AWAY.
POINTING OUT THEIR FAVORITE
TOYS.
>> THIS IS FIRST JERRY'S BEAR.
HE LOVES IT.
THAT'S HIS FAVORITE.
>> Reporter: EVEN STILL?
>> EVEN STILL, SO --
>> Reporter: AND FOR THE FIRST
TIME, MARIA SHOWS ME THE VIDEOS
DOCUMENTING THEIR YEAR AND HALF
MUCH OF THAT TIME ON THE RUN.
>> THIS IS JERRY'S PLAY.
>> Reporter: SHE POINTS OUT HER
OLDEST SON JERRY JOINING OTHER
CHILDREN ON THE STAGE RIGHT
THERE ON THE RIGHT.
THE ORDINARY FAMILY MOMENTS.
SASHA PLAYING WITH HIS PIZZA
DOUGH.
HERE, SPEAKING TO HIM IN SLOVAK
WHILE BACK HOME VISITING HER
FAMILY.
>> HE WAS VERY FUNNY, VERY CUTE.
>> Reporter: THE BUS TRIPS
THROUGH EUROPE.
JERRY HOLDING THE CAMERA AS HE
SINGS.
♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ♪
♪ NO HAPPY BIRTHDAY ME ♪
>> Reporter: A MILESTONE MISSED
BACK IN AMERICA.
THE BOYS PLAYING WITH THEIR
MOTHER SEEN HERE ON THE
TRAMPOLINE.
ALL WHILE THEIR FATHERS WONDERED
WHERE THEY WERE.
IF THEY WOULD EVER COME HOME.
AND FOR ALL OF THE SMILES, WE
ALSO NOTICE SOMETHING ELSE.
A GROWING BOY, JERRY, AT TIMES
APPEARING DISINTERESTED.
QUIET.
ABSENT.
THEY HAD A DIFFERENT LIFE FOR A
WHILE.
>> THEY HAD A GREAT LIFE FULL OF
FUN.
>> Reporter: BUT A LIFE WITHOUT
THEIR DADS.
>> ALL BOYS' CLOTHES.
>> Reporter: INSIDE THE
APARTMENT, IN THE BEDROOM, WE
NOTICE THE BOYS' CLOTHING FOLDED
ON THE BED.
I SENSE THAT YOUR SENSITIVE THAT
PEOPLE THOUGHT YOU WERE DRESSING
THEM AS GIRLS?
>> I'M NOT.
BUT I'M JUST PACKING SO I JUST
WANT TO SHOW YOU BECAUSE YOU
ASKED ME IF HE WAS CAMOUFLAGED
LIKE A GIRL AND HE WASN'T.
>> Reporter: SHE NOW TELLS US
SHE HAS MANY REGRETS.
>> I COULD NOT IN MY WORST
DREAM, IMAGINE THAT MY CHILDREN
WOULD END UP IN ORPHANAGE, AND I
AM RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.
I AM RESPONSIBLE FULLY FOR
MARRYING WHO I MARRIED.
I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING MY
WRONG CHOICES.
BUT I WANT TO MAKE IT UP TO THE
CHILDREN.
I WANT TO MAKE THEIR LIFE THE
BEST I CAN.
I HOPE IT'S NOT TOO LATE.
>> Reporter: BUT WILL SHE GET
THAT CHANCE TO DELIVER THAT
MESSAGE?
WILL SHE SEE HER BOYS AGAIN?
BECAUSE BOB'S ATTORNEY IS ABOUT
TO READ THE JUDGE'S DECISION
RIGHT FROM HER PHONE THERE.
WHY THAT DECISION SURPRISES
EVERYONE WHEN WE COME BACK.
>>> "ON THE RUN" CONTINUES.
ONCE AGAIN, DAVID MUIR.
>> Reporter: AS THE SUN RISES IN
FRANCE, THE TWO FATHERS WAIT
ANXIOUSLY FOR THE JUDGE'S
DECISION IN THEIR HOTEL ROOMS.
>> I'VE BEEN HOLED UP IN A HOTEL
FOR 36 HOURS BECAUSE, I'M
DEATHLY AFRAID OF RUNNING INTO
MARIA.
>> Reporter: THEN THE DECISION
COMES, NOT WITH ANY COURTROOM
FANFARE INSTEAD IN A FAX.
WE'RE RIGHT THERE AS BOB'S
ATTORNEY READS IT.
>> SO THE FAX JUST ARRIVED AND
IT SAYS, IT'S RELEASED AND THE
JUDGE SAID --
MOVE TO GIVE --
>> LET'S GO.
>> -- THE CHILD TO MR. PFEIFFER.
SHE SAYS THE CHILD HAS TO BE
WITH THE FATHER.
>> Reporter: AN EXTRAORDINARY
MOMENT.
THE JUDGE MAKING IT CLEAR THESE
TWO BOYS WHO'VE HAD THEIR MOTHER
THEIR ENTIRE LIVES WILL NOW GO
HOME WITHOUT HER.
LARRY, BOB, NOW RUSHING TO THE
ORPHANAGE TO TAKE CUSTODY OF
THEIR SONS, TO TAKE THEM BACK TO
AMERICA.
>> JERRY SAY GOOD-BYE!
>> BYE!
>> BYE!
>> YOU DON'T WANT TO STAY HERE
DO YOU?
>> NO.
I HATE THE CHILDREN'S HOME.
I MEAN, LIKE IT'S THE WORST, I
MEAN IT'S NOT THE WORST, BUT
LIKE, IT'S NOT GOOD.
>> WHO'S THAT, SASHA?
>> DARTH VADER.
>> DARTH VADER?
>> Reporter: THAT NIGHT LARRY
AND SASHA SKYPE WITH THE
GRANDPARENTS WAITING BACK IN
AMERICA.
>> SASHA, ARE YOU UPSIDE-DOWN?
>> OH, I THINK HE'S HAD A LONG
DAY.
>> Reporter: THE NEXT MORNING
THEY'RE HEADED TO THE PARIS
AIRPORT, THEIR FINAL LEG HOME.
>> JERRY WANTS TO GET HOME AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE AND JUST
EXHAUSTED.
>> WE GOT OUR PASSPORTS.
WE'RE GOING HOME.
>> Reporter: THEY ARRIVE IN LOS
ANGELES, THE FATHERS EXHILARATED
AND EXHAUSTED.
>> WE DID IT, WE DID IT.
>> Reporter: ONE OF OUR
PRODUCERS RIGHT THERE AS JERRY
COMES HOME.
>> WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO BE
BACK IN THE UNITED STATES?
>> UM, SURPRISING, UM, NICE.
>> YOU WANT TO GO TO SLEEP?
>> MAYBE.
>> YEAH, I THINK SO.
>> Reporter: JERRY WALKS PAST
THOSE BALLOONS RIGHT INTO HIS
DAD'S HOUSE.
INSIDE, THE PRESENTS FROM
CHRISTMAS AND HE CHECKS IN WITH
HIS BELOVED PET.
THE BEARDED DRAGON NAMED CHERRY
JERRY.
AND OUTSIDE, WHO COULD FORGET
ABOUT HIS PRIZED TURTLE, SPEEDY.
WHILE OVER AT LARRY'S HOUSE,
4-YEAR-OLD SASHA'S RETURN IS
MORE SUBDUED.
HIS FATHER REMINDS US MOST OF
SASHA'S ENGLISH IS LOST.
SINCE HIS MOTHER HAD BEEN
SPEAKING TO HIM IN SLOVAK.
>> WE'RE HOME, I'M SO HAPPY.
>> Reporter: LARRY KNOWS IT WILL
TAKE TIME.
THE SUDDEN DISRUPTION, THE
EXPERTS SAY, TRAUMATIC FOR A BOY
WHO'S NEVER BEEN THIS LONG
WITHOUT HIS MOTHER.
BOTH OF THE BOYS ARE SEEING
THERAPISTS.
IT'S A LOT FOR A YOUNG PERSON
TO --
>> IT'S A LOT, BECAUSE, IT'S A
LOT FOR HIM TO PROCESS.
WE ACTUALLY PUT A BOOK TOGETHER
THAT'S CALLED SASHA'S STORY, PER
THE THERAPIST'S ADVICE.
AND IT TELLS THE ENTIRE STORY,
FROM WHEN ME AND HIS MOTHER MET,
TO WHEN WE DIVORCED, TO THE
ABDUCTION, TO BEING WHERE WE ARE
NOW.
>> Reporter: NOW SIX WEEKS AFTER
THEIR RETURN TO AMERICA, WE'RE
INVITED TO CHECK IN ON JERRY.
HEARD A LOT ABOUT YOU.
FUN TO SEE YOUR FRIENDS?
>> YEAH AND YEAH.
>> Reporter: THAT'S GOOD, HOW'S
SCHOOL GOING?
>> UM, GOOD.
>> Reporter: YOU HAVE TO CATCH
UP A LITTLE?
>> I HAVE TO CATCH UP A LITTLE
BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS GOOD.
WHICH WAY IS THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN?
WILL YOU SHOW ME?
RIGHT OVER HERE.
AS WE WALK THE TRAILS ABOVE THE
HOLLYWOOD HILLS, JERRY, WHO'S
BEEN GONE SO LONG --
STILL ABLE TO POINT OUT ALL OF
THOSE LANDMARKS OF HOME.
HE'S REJOINED THE FIFTH GRADE,
AND EAGER TO SHOW ME HIS
DRAWINGS.
THAT'S PRETTY COOL.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO DO
ONE OF THESE?
>> LIKE TWO HOURS.
>> REALLY?
>> AN HOUR?
>> Reporter: THE MATH PART, THE
FRACTIONS HE'S LEARNING NOT SO
MUCH.
>> SO YOU HAVE TO MAKE THEM ALL
THE SAME -- THE DENOMINATORS ALL
THE SAME?
>> YEAH, I DON'T LIKE THAT.
>> Reporter: I KNOW IT'S HARD, I
TOLD YOU RIGHT?
AND HE IS NOW MAKING UP FOR LOST
TIME WITH HIS FATHER.
>> I THINK THERE'S THINGS GOING
ON, FROM THIS EXPERIENCE, THAT
HE HAS TO DEAL WITH.
UH, BUT YEAH, HE'S VERY HAPPY.
>> Reporter: DOES HE MISS HIS
MOM?
>> HE HASN'T SAID THAT.
>> Reporter: FOR SASHA --
♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ♪
>> Reporter: A FIFTH BIRTHDAY
SURROUNDED BY HIS FATHER'S
FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
WE PAY A RETURN VISIT TO THE
LITTLE BOY WHO IS STILL
ADJUSTING.
>> HEY!
>> Reporter: HOW ARE YOU?
SASHAS IS BACK IN PRESCHOOL, NOW
LEARNING HIS ENGLISH AGAIN.
>> EVERYONE THAT HAS SEEN HIM
HIS THERAPIST, HIS TEACHER, MY
FAMILY, FRIENDS, HAS SAID WOW,
HE IS DOING REMARKABLE FOR SUCH
A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
>> Reporter: AND BACK ON THE TV,
THE SAME FAVORITE MOVIE THAT WAS
PLAYING BEFORE HE LEFT.
"THE IRON GIANT."
AND THE LITTLE GIANT ABOUT TO
SHOW ME HIS MOVES.
OKAY, YOU SHOW ME.
BUT YOU'RE A DAD 24/7 NOW, I
MEAN YOU WENT FROM ONE EXTREME
TO ANOTHER.
>> I DID INDEED, YEAH, IT'S A
LOT, IT'S AN INTENSE EXPERIENCE
AND YOU KNOW WHAT I LOVE IT.
>> Reporter: AND WE NOTICE
SOMETHING ELSE.
THAT RIGHT THERE IN THE LIVING
ROOM ABOVE THE TOYS, PICTURES OF
HIS MOTHER.
>> HIS THERAPIST RECOMMENDED
PUTTING PHOTOGRAPHS OF HIS MOM
AND HIS BROTHER.
>> Reporter: DOES HE ASK ABOUT
HER?
>> HE DOESN'T ASK ABOUT HER THAT
MUCH.
WHAT HE'LL DO SOMETIMES IS HE'LL
PUT A TOY ASIDE AND SAY THIS IS
FOR MOMMY.
THIS IS FOR MY MOM, I SAY, OKAY,
THAT'S FINE.
>> Reporter: AND AS THOSE PHOTOS
SIT IN SASHA'S VIEW, HIS MOTHER
MARIA, THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY,
REVEALING TO US ONE LAST DARING
MOVE.
>> WE ARE JUST MOVING EVERYTHING
IS IN THE BOXES SO.
>> WHERE ARE YOU MOVING TOO?
>> Reporter: HER NEW PLAN WHEN
WE COME BACK.
>>> ONCE AGAIN, DAVID MUIR.
>> Reporter: BACK IN GENEVA,
TONIGHT, IT IS NOW THE MOTHER
WITHOUT HER BOYS, MARIA, NOW
FACING EXTRADITION TO AMERICA ON
THOSE ABDUCTION CHARGES.
AND PERHAPS SURPRISINGLY,
EXTRADITING HER SHOULD BE EASY.
BECAUSE SHE REVEALS TO US SHE
WANTS TO RETURN TO AMERICA.
>> WE ARE JUST MOVING AND
EVERYTHING IS IN THE BOXES.
SO --
>> Reporter: WHERE ARE YOU
MOVING TO?
>> I'M GOING BACK TO -- THE
L.A. -- YOU KNOW?
>> Reporter: YOU'RE GOING BACK
TO L.A.?
>> YEAH.
>> Reporter: AND HOW SOON?
>> I DON'T KNOW YET.
SOON.
>> Reporter: SHE SHOWS US THE
UNOPENED CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
SHE'S ALREADY PACKING.
>> THESE ARE SASHA'S PRESENTS.
>> Reporter: AND A SWORD?
>> AND A SWORD.
>> Reporter: A MOTHER WHO KNOWS
HER SON.
AND FOR JERRY?
>> THIS IS JERRY'S CAT, THE
BEAST.
HE PROBABLY MISSES THAT A LOT.
>> Reporter: BUT, SHE IS ALSO
PACKING SOMETHING ELSE.
THE CASE SHE'S BUILDING TO GET
BACK AT LEAST PARTIAL CUSTODY OF
HER BOYS.
SHE READS ME SOME OF THE LETTERS
FROM PARENTS, TEACHERS WHO KNEW
THE BOYS WHEN THEY WERE HERE.
>> MAYA WAS ALWAYS AN EXTREMELY
ATTENTIVE, PROTECTIVE, AND
LOVING MOTHER.
I KEEP THE MEMORY OF DYNAMIC,
TRUSTING BOY, SMART AND HAPPY I
NEVER HEARD HIM COMPLAIN AND HE
OBVIOUSLY ADORES HIS MOTHER.
>> SASHA.
>> Reporter: SO, YOU WILL GO
BACK AND FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES?
>> YES, I DIDN'T DO ANY CRIME.
BUT, I WILL GO INSIDE THE U.S.
BECAUSE THEY ARE MY CHILDREN.
>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN MANY DAYS
NOW.
>> MANY DAYS.
>> Reporter: YOU GO TO BED AT
NIGHT AND YOU WAKE UP WITHOUT
YOUR CHILDREN.
>> YES.
>> Reporter: AND TELL ME WHAT
THAT IS LIKE.
>> I CANNOT DESCRIBE IT.
IT'S LIKE WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR
HEART, THAT'S IT.
>> Reporter: CAN YOU HEAR THEIR
VOICES?
>> I CAN HEAR AND FEEL THEM AND
EVERYTHING BUT, I'M JUST TRYING
NOT TO THINK ABOUT IT.
>> Reporter: WHILE IN CALIFORNIA
TONIGHT, LARRY AND BOB SAY
THEY'RE NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES.
THEY'VE BOTH BEEN GRANTED
RESTRAINING ORDERS AGAINST
MARIA.
BOTH SAY THEY'RE WORRIED SHE
MIGHT COME BACK TO TAKE THE
CHILDREN AGAIN.
ARE YOU ALWAYS LOOKING OVER YOUR
SHOULDER?
>> YES, I FEEL THREATENED, YES.
AND I'M PROTECTIVE OF JERRY.
>> Reporter: AUTHORITIES WILL
NOT PREDICT WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
BUT ONE THING THEY DO
ACKNOWLEDGE IS THE WORK OF BOTH
OF THOSE FATHERS.
JERRY'S DAD IN PARTICULAR.
HIS WORK ON SOCIAL MEDIA GETTING
THE WORLD TO LISTEN.
AND GETTING THAT FBI AGENT IN
FRANCE, EUGENE CASEY, TO LISTEN
TOO.
ULTIMATELY, IN THE END HOW BIG
OF A ROLE DID THIS DAD PLAY IN
FINDING THOSE TWO BOYS?
>> I THINK IT WAS CRITICAL.
I MEAN, WHAT HE DID WAS
ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO -- TO
LOCATING HER.
>> Reporter: IN FACT, TONIGHT,
BOB IS NOW FOCUSED ON THE
HUNDREDS OF OTHER CHILDREN
STOLEN ACROSS BORDERS EVERY
YEAR.
THE PARENTS NOW FIGHTING TO
BRING THEIR CHILDREN HOME.
BECAUSE BOB KNOWS WHAT CAN
HAPPEN WHEN PERFECT STRANGERS
REACH OUT TO HELP.
THEY BROUGHT HIS BOY HOME.
>> YOU FIND PEOPLE AROUND THE
WORLD WHO GIVE YOU HOPE AND
STRENGTH, AND ULTIMATELY, HELP
YOU LOCATE YOUR CHILD.
AND THERE'S HOPE.
>>> WE'RE THINKING OF THOSE BOYS
TONIGHT, CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF
ALL THIS, BUT TUCKED BACK IN
AMERICA TONIGHT.
>> WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU
THINK ABOUT IT, THE CONVERSATION
CONTINUES RIGHT NOW.
TWEET US.
AND THAT'S OUR PROGRAM RIGHT
NOW.
I'M ELIZABETH VARGAS.
>> AND I'M DAVID MUIR, FROM ALL
OF US HERE AT "20/20," THANKS
FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD
NIGHT.
