Persistence Brings Father And Son Together 42 Years Later
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BROWARD (CBSMiami) – The first thing that Jose Perez did when he could finally touch his son Joey Perez after more than 40 years was kiss his head. Jose Perez said that's the last thing he did when he last saw his baby son back in 1974.
"I'll take care of you," Perez told his boy.
It's something Perez has wanted to say for decades and it's something Joey Perez longed to hear from the father he never knew.
"This is the best gift ever that I've ever gotten," Joey said.
The Perez-family drama that reunited father, son and siblings in a Broward County courtroom on Wednesday feels like a soap opera.
Jose Perez said he was in the States illegally in the early 70's working to support a wife and kids in Mexico.
He fathered Joey Perez with another woman, but Joey Perez's mother left with him and there was little Jose Perez could do. For years he said he and his daughters searched for Joey Perez to no avail. Then they found Joey Perez's mugshot in the Broward County Jail where he was awaiting trial on grand theft and burglary charges.
Jose Perez wrote his son a letter.
"I'm a strong believer you are my son I have been looking for throughout the years," the letter read.
Joey Perez wrote back and confirmed personal info that only he would know and the four decade mystery was solved.
Jose Perez sent another letter asking if his son was ready for a relationship and the pair were reunited.
Joey Perez admitted his life has been tough and he has struggled with alcohol and trouble with the law.
"I'm not a mean person or a bad person," he said. "I'm just a lonely person. And I've always been lonely."
Jose Perez told his son that he felt responsible for his problems.
"I say, 'I feel guilty for you,'" Jose Perez said. "He said, 'No, Daddy. You no guilty. My mom is guilty because she no give me the child good life.'"
But Jose Perez and his daughters knew they would welcome Joey into their family.
"He's our blood," said his half-sister Bertha Solorzano. "He's our brother. And we have to not judge him but help him. Be there. If he needs rehab, whatever he needs, we're there for him. "
Joey believes this is the moment his life will change and he promises to cherish a relationship with his father.
"I'm a little old to try to put over the knee and spank, but I'm still not too old to take advice from someone who's been able to succeed in life very well," he said.
Joey Perez will move to Virginia with his family now that he's out of jail on bond.
On Wednesday, Joey Perez's attorney said a judge agreed to release on bond so that he can live with his father and family in Virginia.
Joey Perez must still face a judge for the criminal charges and he said he knows he must punished, but is ready to move forward with his life with his new family.