Mother of child hostage "Ethan" makes brief statement - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

Mother of child hostage "Ethan" makes brief statement

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By WSFA 12 News Staff - email

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MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

The mother of the boy who is known by a nation only as "Ethan" released a brief statement Tuesday afternoon through a representative with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The message did not include the mother's name.

It reads as follows:

"For the first time in almost a week, I woke up this morning to the most beautiful sight ... my sweet boy. I can't describe how incredible it is to hold him again.

Ethan is safe and back in my arms -- and I owe it all to some of the most compassionate people on Earth. I will never be able to repay those who helped bring Ethan home -- Sheriff Wally Olson and his team, District Attorney of Dale and Geneva counties, Kirke Adams, and his Victims Services officer, Amarylis Benefield; Wiregrass Angel House's Shelly Linderman; all law enforcement agencies including the FBI and its Victims Specialist Helen Smith, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and other divisions of the Alabama Department of Public Safety and Houston County Sheriff's Office; Sanctuary of Praise and its staff; Destiny Church and its staff and congregation; and Pastor Jim Hill of Ridgecrest Baptist Church of Ozark.

And then there are our friends and neighbors who showered us with love and prayers during this weeklong ordeal and those who have provided food and other necessities for the many officers who worked tirelessly to bring an end to this situation.

My family and I ask that you respect our privacy and give us a little time -- time to heal, time to put this nightmare behind us, time to move forward."

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