Mother will 'always love' daughters taken 19 years ago

Kurth speaks out at a news conference

April 21, 1998
Web posted at: 3:52 p.m. EDT (1952 GMT)

FRAMINGHAM, Massachusetts (CNN) -- Barbara Kurth says she will always love the daughters taken 19 years ago by her ex-husband in a custody dispute. But Kurth, who denies claims she neglected the girls, doesn't know when, or if, she'll be reunited with them.

Stephen Fagan told the girls their mother was dead and says he took them to Florida for their own protection. He faces kidnapping charges and is free on bail.

Kurth, who has remarried and now lives in Virginia, told reporters Tuesday she's felt "elation and fear" since learning that Fagan and her daughters Lisa, 21, and Rachel, 23, had been found. Her other comments:

• "I've been living with the loss of my daughters for nearly 20 years and not a day has gone by in which I have not thought of whether or not they are safe or happy."

• Until September 4, 1997, when she was notified by the Massachusetts State Police that her husband had been found, "I had been resigned to the fact that I would never see or hear from (my daughters) again."
  (250 K / 22 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)

• "Since that day ... my life has been filled with nervous energy of not knowing what would happen next."

• "My only desire has been to know how my daughters were doing and whether or not, when the time is right, a private reunion might take place between us."

  Lisa (L) and Rachel in the Massachusetts courtroom

• "Unfortunately, the crimes committed by Steve Fagan, coupled with the incredible charade he's been living, has created a media spectacle that I fear has endangered any hopes of my being reunited with my daughters."

• "My only concern is their happiness, and my only true wish is that they will come, someday, to realize that I have always loved them and I always will."

Kurth's husband, Peter, also spoke briefly. He said he was "very proud" of his wife, whom he described as a "real trouper." He said he "looked forward to meeting" Lisa and Rachel. "There's happiness" they've been found," but it's all tempered."

Related stories:

• Dad who took kids 19 years ago says he acted legally - April 21, 1998
• Dad faces charges of kidnapping kids 18 years ago - April 21, 1998

Related site:

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• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

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