Father won't fight extradition
By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — A father accused of kidnapping his 11-year-old daughter and hiding in Hawai'i with her under assumed identities agreed yesterday to waive extradition to Florida, where the girl's mother lives.
Jon Michael Bryan is accused in Palm Beach County of kidnapping and other crimes.
John Michael Bryan could return to Florida within the week, prosecutors said.
He signed documents in 5th Circuit Court indicating he will not fight extradition to face those charges, and he could return to Florida within the week, said Kaua'i Prosecuting Attorney Michael Soong.
Bryan's daughter, Angeline, left Kaua'i yesterday afternoon with her mother, Elke Hoercher. A psychologist completed an assessment Monday that determined the girl could remain in the custody of her mother, whom she hadn't seen since the kidnapping in 1998. Mother and daughter issued a written statement yesterday through the office of Mayor Bryan Baptiste.
"We have our lives back," the statement said. It thanked individuals and organizations for assistance in their reunion, notably the Visitor Aloha Society, Kaua'i Police Department, Children's Justice Center of Kaua'i, state Department of Human Services and the Kaua'i Visitors Bureau.
Bryan took his daughter on a one-month visitation, ostensibly for a camping trip to the Florida Keys, in June 1998. He never returned, and Florida authorities lodged felony kidnapping charges.
Authorities received a tip last month that Bryan and his daughter were living on Kaua'i. Kaua'i police confirmed they were living in Kapa'a under the names Jonny Lee and Lana Lee. Police and state Child Welfare Services workers pulled the child out of school and let her talk to her mother on the phone. Minutes later, Bryan was arrested at the school when he arrived to pick her up.
Bryan is being held without bail. Soong said that if Florida authorities agree to set bail, Bryan could post it and return to Florida in the presence of his Florida attorney. Soong said that would be quicker than arranging for Florida police to accompany Bryan back to the state.
Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 245-3074.
