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Pro 8 News Exclusive: Mother of kidnapped girl speaks out to our Joey Horta

By Ray Gomez

Story Created: Mar 4, 2009

Story Updated: Apr 29, 2009

The little girl who made national headlines for being kidnapped by her own father is back with her mother tonight, and as she tells our Joey Horta in an exclusive interview, it's not the first time it's happened to their family.

Tonight the US Marshals have the little girl's dad in custody, and her mother is speaking out for the first time to the media: saying this kidnapping is something she knew would eventually happen.

"Can mommy have big hugs and sugars? Mommy missed you. I missed you. Can I have sugar. Muah. You're so sweet."

They're together again, but Athena Fritz says her 'ex' tried taking their two year old girl before.

30-year-old Miles Woodside took Briana on what was supposed to be a short walk near their Frankfort, Kentucky home, but they didn't come back for two hours.

"I was absolutely devastated."

Fast forward to last Friday, this time he's caught with the toddler in Monterrey, Mexico calls relatives and tips off the FBI.

It’s just another move in over two years worth of problems between the former couple.

"How long has it been? It’s been a long time. I was actually two months pregnant. When I seen how controlling he was. He got angry at the fact that I wanted to breast feed, as crazy as that sounds."

Little Briana is just learning to talk, still using a pacifier, and has already experienced life on the run with a father who took her across the border at El Paso, where the drug violence is at an all time high.

"What are you going to do in the future here with this guy? Are you going to press charges? I'm going to have. I will have full custody."

"Hopefully he's gonna get some psychiatric help because she does need her father. Once he has some psychiatric help, maybe some visitations or something in the future something along those lines. So you would be willing for him to see her again? With someone there? Yes. Not alone? No."

Fritz and her daughter will head back to Kentucky, and she's now engaged to this man, who will play a big part in little Briana's life.

Miles woodside is being extradited to Kentucky; once there he faces charges of auto theft and interference with child custody.