HOMINY, Okla. -- Relief overcame many when family members finally heard from a couple and their three young children that disappeared more than three weeks ago.
Loved ones said they last saw Evie Kenworthy, Robert Moseley and their three kids on February 27. They filed a missing persons report with the Hominy Police Department on March 9, which sparked a nationwide search.
RELATED: Missing Hominy, Oklahoma family found safe; family had been missing since February
After 21 days of searching without any luck, Debbie Kenworthy, Evie's mother, said she finally got a text from her daughter Saturday, who reached out to her after seeing several news reports.
"She was afraid to call," Kenworthy said. "She text, 'I know you're mad. You probably hate us, but Hominy is toxic to our relationship.'"
Kenworthy said her daughter explained that she and her boyfriend left town with their three kids to start over somewhere new and keep their family together.
"I cried immediately," Kenworthy said. "I said here she is, and I fell apart. Started crying. Tried to call, but she wouldn't answer the phone."
Robert Moseley's mother Kimberly also said she felt relieved when she talked to her son and grandchildren. He told her they were in Arkansas after apparently going to Texas and Louisiana during the past few weeks.
"I was just glad he was okay," said Kimberly while holding back tears.
"They were afraid people were going to be mad if they got back together," she added. "Nobody cares. They have three kids. If that's what you want to do, I'm happy."
Kenworthy and Moseley told their parents they would be back home by Monday or Tuesday, but they have not showed up yet. Their families said they're skeptical that might ever happen.
"Right now it seems just so unreal," Kenworthy said. "I never expected to ever go through anything like this, and the feelings and emotions that you go through, it's unbelievable."
She added, "They'll have to show up at my house before I believe they're coming in."
Moseley has two outstanding arrest warrants for charges unrelated to this incident, though family members insist that had nothing to do with his and his family's disappearance.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.