EXCLUSIVE: Father of abducted children talks to Local 10

Anthony Milhomme: 'I was afraid for my kids'

MIAMI – The father of two of the children abducted Monday afternoon says he feared for his children but kept faith in God as the search continued.

Anthony Milhomme bonded out of jail Tuesday morning and spoke exclusively with Local 10's Liane Morejon.

The three children left in his care were abducted outside a grocery store. They were found about two hours after they were taken at Northwest 1st Avenue and 59th Street at about 5 p.m Monday.

Police say 33-year-old Velan Verdier took off in Milhomme's car with the scared children inside. Milhomme was then arrested for leaving the children in that car alone. He said he got out of the car to get a money transfer receipt.

"She jumped in my car and left and I guess she didn't realize there were kids in the car," Milhomme told Local 10. "I found out that she's [done] it before. I guess when she found out she dropped the car right around the corner, which is my neighborhood."

Milhomme's children, 5-year-old Anthony Junior, 6-year-old Kaila and his nephew, 7-year-old Isaiah are now home with their mothers.

"Honestly, I was afraid for my kids, but I didn't really worry about that," Milhomme said. "I have faith in God, like that the kids were going to be all right."

Milhomme is charged with child neglect.


About the Author:

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.