A family again But fear haunts a mother after kidnapped daughter finally returned Norma Luna ponders the years she spent without her daughter, Laura Garcia, 8, who is reflected in the mirror. Laura was abducted and taken to Mexico by her father three years ago, and was recently returned to her mother. Below, Luna, along with her family, offers a prayer of thanks.

Luna and her husband divorced three years ago, and Luna was granted custody of their daughter, Laura. However, her ex-husband, a Mexican citizen, took the girl and fled to Mexico.

Her father enrolled her in Mexican schools, where she learned math and reading and writing in Spanish. But she soon lost her English-language skills.

Meanwhile, Norma Luna worried and wept for her daughter for three years, and sought ways to get her back.

Her prayers were answered when the San Antonio Express-News published a front-page story, written by reporter Alison Gregor, featuring Luna and telling of her plight. The girl's father learned of the story, and was moved to return her.

Experts say that children who are abucted by a divorced parent and taken overseas are rarely returned.

At right, Laura writes her mother's name. Laura loves to doodle as she attempts to learn English again. At far right, Laura is welcomed back by her aunt, Mayra Escobedo. Below, right, Laura sleeps soundly by her brother, Joel.

All photos were made with a Nikon D1 digital camera, 17-35mm f2.8 zoom lens.