Santa Ana teacher reunited with her sons, who were allegedly kidnapped

Family and friends gathered at the airport Friday night to welcome home a Santa Ana Valley High School schoolteacher, Maricela Gonzales, and her two sons Friday night, more than a year after the boys were allegedly abducted by their father, James Gonzales, a former school SAUSD principal, according to CBS News.

The two boys, who were missing for a year, are known by Maricela as Pablito and R.J.  They were allegedly kidnapped during a custody dispute by their father, who remains in custody in Colorado for multiple alleged crimes.

The boys’ mother had this to say, on her Facebook page, about her joyful reunion with her sons:

I can’t begin to express the feelings of gratitude, joy, and overall appreciation for everyone involved in the investigation, recovery, and homecoming of my precious sons!  Words cannot describe how I feel this morning!  I woke up throughout the night making sure I was not dreaming.  I could hear my babies peacefully sleeping right by my side.  Their scents, their warmth, their presence was the mo…st soothing feeling any mother can experience after a year of anguish.  I can’t stop looking at them; it still seems so surreal.  I am relishing every moment moment and will forever be grateful to our Heavenly Father for listening to our unstoppable, heartfelt pleas to reunite me with my sons. 

I want to give thanks to Special Agent Johnny Ortega and Director of Investigations Earl Holmes, from the NM Attorney General’s Office, for taking an interest on my case after local authorities had put it to the side claiming they had exhausted all their resources.  Their compassion, determination, and professionalism led to the best outcome ever; finding my boys safe and sound.  Additionally, I would like to thank the FBI for their relentless efforts and state of the art investigative strategies.  NM Governor Susana Martinez, thank you for your ongoing support and interest on my case.  To NM Senator Martin Heinrich’s office for making the necessary inquiries on the case. 

I would also like to thank my “adoptive family” Rick, Margaret Griffin, and gang, for offering shelter, a meal, a laugh, and therapy during the course of my ongoing search in NM.  To the Justice Legal Group for your prayers, support, and guidance throughout this ordeal.  To Amanda and Chris Vasquez for your love, prayers, and support.  I love you sis!  To my Bible studies buddies both in NM and CA for always keeping me focused on God’s plan and cheering me along the dark paths as I struggled to carry my cross.  To my Carr Family, you guys rock!  Thank you Carr Family for your daily smiles, your words of encouragement, your unbelievable support, your kindness, and love. 

Additionally, I would like to thank my students and their parents for their support, patience, and understanding the many moths I was out searching for my babies. To all SAUSD staff, your continued prayers and support paid off!  It is wonderful to know that we stuck together throughout this ordeal! 

To my family, gracias por siempre entender mi dolor; por mantenerme fuerte y firme durante esos momentos de dolor y angustia; por todas sus oraciones; y por siempre ser el pilar que necesitaba. 

A special thanks to my dear friend Nancy who was there with me from the start.  Thank you for encouraging me to keep going and never give up; for being there the moments I found myself frail and heartbroken. 

I would also like to thank my NCMEC family!  Farryl Stverd for guiding me throughout this heartbreaking journey; and Griselda Gonzalez, Team HOPE consultant, for becoming not just an advocate, but most importantly, a friend. 

Another key organization I would like to thank is the Albuquerque Domestic Violence Resource Center for providing me with the financial, emotional, and psychological support the first four months of the investigation.  Thanks also to the Polly Klass Foundation and the many other organizations that assisted in printing posters and spreading the word of my sons’ disappearance.

In essence, a heart-felt thank you to anyone and everyone who was instrumental in the recovery of my sons…anyone who lent me a shoulder to cry on…anyone who helped distribute Missing Person’s posters…anyone who touched their heart to say a little prayer or light a candle for my boys…anyone who was touched by my story.

As my sons and I enter this new, amazing, and joyous journey in our lives, I ask that you reflect on your own life.  How has it changed?  How has it been influenced by my pain and suffering?  Think about your priorities and if God is not one of them. 

Perhaps it may be time to invite him into your life.  I don’t mean to preach, but rather attempt to influence by example.  I hope, if anything, my experience may shed some light onto the importance of prayer in our lives.  My life is a testament that God loves us so much that he would never abandon us.  He is there with us during the worse storms in our lives.  It is He that sent so many angels my way to hold me, guide me, uplift, and love me.  You are those beautiful angels!!!!

As I continue my new-found life with my boys, I am aware we may encounter rocky roads, but nothing can compare to the nightmare we endured.  Life for me has a different meaning.  I see it from a clearer lens and that new vision will allow me to guide my sons on a path filled with love, spirituality, compassion, hope, and charity.  Together we will strive to make the world a better place.  I urge everyone to join me in my efforts and do the same.    

For now, I will focus on savoring every minute of every day with my little ones.  We have so much to catch up on and so much to heal. Please understand if I don’t respond to messages.  I read every one of them, but I am overwhelmed with the quantity I have been receiving.  Know that I appreciate each and every one of them.  May God bless you all and have a blessed week!

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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