
A Rhode Island father may soon be reunited with his two daughters 31 years after they were taken as children by their mother.
Elaine Yates, who fled with her two daughters in 1985, was only recently tracked down by authorities and is now facing charges, The Providence Journal reports.
Warwick man, Russell Yates, said he was “stunned” to learn his daughters had been located when police told him on Monday.
“I always hoped this day would happen and now I hope they will want to get in touch with me,” Mr Yates told the newspaper.
Mr Yates reported his daughters Kimberly and Kelly – then aged three and 10 months, missing in August 1985 after his estranged wife left with them. In November that year he obtained a court order giving him custody of the children.
Mr Yates later said his wife threatened to move out after she confronted him about an affair and he slapped her, US broadcaster WPTA21 reports.
Despite police efforts to find Mrs Yates, the 69-year-old managed to stay hidden with her daughters for more than three decades.
