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Senator Chuck Hagel to Announce Later This Year Whether He'll Run for President; Kidnapped Baby Found; Three Top al Qaeda Suspects Appear Before Gitmo Review Panel

Aired March 12, 2007 - 11:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning once again, everybody. 11:00 Eastern time right now.
We are watching for this man...

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: There he is.

COLLINS: ... to come to the microphone. Senator Chuck Hagel apparently announcing his "future plans".

Let's go ahead and listen in.

(APPLAUSE)

SEN. CHUCK HAGEL (R), NEBRASKA: Thank you. Obviously, that's the press clapping. And I am grateful.

Thank you for coming.

This institution, the University of Nebraska in Omaha, is an important institution to our state, has been important to me and to my brother Tom and others in my family, my stepsister Betty. We all graduated here.

I know for some of you that's difficult to believe, that I actually graduated, but I did. Standards were much lower when I graduated here. But this institution represents, I think, what is best about our state and our people. And it is for that reason that I asked the good people at the University of Nebraska if I could come and trespass on their facility this morning to say a couple of things and make an announcement.

And I wanted to welcome Dana Bash from CNN and others who came to Omaha looking for a good steak. And I hope you enjoyed yourselves.

Dana, it's always good to see you.

I'm going to give a statement. And then I believe as Mike Buttry noted, I would very much appreciate any questions and will entertain all the questions, and hopefully will give you succinct, direct, complete answers, as of course what I'm known for. And that is mainly because I was tutored many years ago by I think the finest public servant that I have ever known who is sitting in the front row of this room today, former congressman John Y. McCollister.

John Y., I thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

Thank you, and not just for the shaping and molding of my career, which occasionally I know within your sense of evaluation I get off track, but nonetheless, you don't have to agree publicly with that, John. But also, thank you for the service you have given this country, your distinguished service in World War II and your service to the county board, to the Republican Party, and to our country, as a very respected and highly regarded United States congressman.

Ladies and Gentlemen, America stands at an historic crossroads in its history. It is against this backdrop that I find myself at my own crossroads on my political future.

Burdened by two wars, faced with dangerous new threats and global uncertainty, beset by serious long-term domestic problems, and divided by raw political partisanship, America now reaches for a national consensus or purpose. America's response to the challenges and opportunities that confront us today will define our future. Finding solutions to these challenges and capitalizing on these opportunities will not wait until the next election.

I have worked hard over the last 10 years on foreign policy and national security issues, trade, climate change and energy, education, entitlement. Especially Social Security reform, healthcare, veterans benefits, GSE reform, and immigration reform. This year will be an important year for these critical issues, and I intend to offer new initiatives on each of them.

I want to give these and other subjects my full attention over the next few months. I believe it is in the interest of my Nebraska constituents and this country that I continue to work full time on these challenges.

America is facing its most divisive and difficult issue since Vietnam, the war in Iraq. This is an issue that I have been deeply involved in. I want to keep my focus on helping find a responsible way out of this tragedy and not divert my energy, my efforts and my judgment with competing political considerations.

I'm here today to announce that my family and I will make a decision on my political future later this year. In making this announcement I believe there will still be political options open to me at a later date. But that will depend on the people of Nebraska and this country.

I cannot control that. And I do not worry about it. I will continue to participate in events across this country, raising money for my political action committee to assist Republican candidates and raising funds for a Senate re-election campaign.

In conclusion, I would first like to commend my colleagues who are currently seeking their party's presidential nomination. I admire each of them for their willingness to put themselves on the line and pursue their strong beliefs and ideals. I believe the political currents in America are more unpredictable today than at any time in modern history. We are experiencing a political reorientation, a redefining, and moving toward a new political center of gravity. This movement is bigger than both political parties.

The need to solve problems and meet challenges is overtaking the ideological debates of the last three decades, as it should. America is demanding honest, competent and accountable government.

A global political readjustment is also in play today and will respond to America's leadership. What is at stake for the future of America is far larger than just American politics. Politics is simply the mechanism democracies use to effect responsible change. The world is not static. It is dynamic.

At the beginning of my remarks I said that America is reaching for a national consensus of purpose. We will find it, because Americans expect it and will demand it.

I do not believe America's greatness is lost to the 20th century. There are chapters of America's greatness yet to be written, and I intend to continue being part of America's story.

I thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen.

And I would take first questions from Dana Bash.

DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Senator Hagel, what are the factors that are going to go into your final decision? And also, if I can ask you -- or actually, if I could read you a quote from the executive director of the Republican Party in Iowa from this morning, he said, "I don't know what constituency you'd be looking for to be an anti-war Republican. Good luck to you."

Is -- do you think that there is a place in the GOP field for 2008 for someone like you, for someone who is so vocally opposed to the president's strategy in Iraq?

HAGEL: Well, first, presidential candidates run for office -- almost all -- and the American people evaluate candidates based on their comprehensive program and vision for their country. I am not an antiwar candidate. I have never been antiwar. There are times in a nation's history, and we have seen them certainly in ours, where a force is required.

I think what's most important, when a president must consider the use of force is, first, that it will be a last resort. And second, that it's a wise and smart use of force.

So, to consider me an antiwar candidate is just not correct. We have far more issues that we're going to have to deal with in this country than that.

I would also say that part of a nation's national security is not just about the strength of its military. Certainly the requirements of national security are the foremost responsibilities of any government. And there's little debate about that. But the economic strength...

COLLINS: All right. So he's -- Senator Chuck Hagel there making an announcement about announcing something...

HARRIS: What was the announcement?

COLLINS: ... a little bit later on in the year.

HARRIS: Yes.

COLLINS: We were wondering if he was obviously going to throw himself in the ring as a possible Republican candidate.

HARRIS: He kicked the can, didn't he?

COLLINS: He kind of did. He said he and his family will be making that announcement later this year.

He also said -- you just heard him say, "I am not an antiwar candidate." Very interesting. I think some people will have trouble with that.

HARRIS: Would disagree with that, yes.

COLLINS: But as you saw, our Dana Bash is on the ground there. We will check in with her a little bit later on and see what the reaction was, in the room, anyway, of that announcement to make an announcement later.

HARRIS: Yes.

COLLINS: So what do Americans think about Senator Hagel? Well, we are just getting in some new poll numbers now. We want to take a look at those.

The CNN-Opinion Research poll finds 10 percent of Americans have a favorable view of the senator, but the vast majority, nearly 80 percent, are unsure. When we narrow that down to check the pulse of Republican voters, the poll finds similar results -- eight percent with a favorable opinion, nearly 80 percent are unsure.

They've got time, though.

HARRIS: They do. More than we thought they would have. They do, yes.

Here's where Senator Hagel stands on some key issues. First, the hot- button issue of Iraq.

Senator Hagel voted for military force in Iraq, but he's been an outspoken critic of President Bush's troop surge plan.

On abortion, Hagel opposes abortion rights, except when the mother's life is in danger. He also opposes same-sex marriage, but Hagel is against a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. He says marriage issues should be decided by the states. Actor Fred Thompson is a man who likes mixing it up a bit. His career path hasn't exactly been typical. That's for sure.

First he was an actor, then a senator. Now Thompson says he's considering a run for the White House. He opposes abortion rights and gay marriage and could appeal to conservatives.

Thompson, who is from Tennessee, served eight years in Congress, then returned to his career as an actor. Right now he plays a district attorney on the television show "Law & Order."

COLLINS: Big developments this hour in the case of a kidnapped newborn found safe and sound over the weekend. We're going to be hearing from the hospital.

How did someone pose as a worker and whisk this child away? Next hour, a court hearing for the 21-year-old suspect.

Let's get the basics now of the case from CNN's Keith Oppenheim.

Keith, what happens next now in all of this?

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, in about 20 minutes from now we are going to see that baby. There is a scheduled news conference here at the Covenant Medical Center. And that young infant girl, Mychael Dawodu, just 5 days old today, we're told is going to be brought to this room with her parents.

We haven't had a chance to see these folks yet and get a chance to see how they're doing. But one would presume they're doing worlds better than they were doing just a couple days ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OPPENHEIM (voice over): On Saturday morning at 1:00 a.m., Mychael Dawodu was just 3 days old. But just as her third day of life started, young Mychael became a kidnap victim.

LT. SCOTT HUDGENS, LUBBOCK POLICE: A female posing as a hospital employee went into the hospital room, told the family that they need to take the baby for some tests, and then -- and then left the room.

OPPENHEIM: Before the suspect was caught, she was caught on tape. Surveillance cameras at Covenant Medical Center captured what appears to be an African-American woman in her 20s walking in the hospital. There was tape of her before the abduction and later, leaving, wearing a puffy coat, and carrying a handbag. Hospital officials said she was not an employee but posed as one, dressed in nurse's scrubs, taking advantage of a hospital open to the public.

GWEN STAFFORD, COVENANT MEDICAL CENTER: This individual was pretty sophisticated, or at least knowledgeable of what happens in healthcare institutions.

OPPENHEIM: Lubbock police got more than 200 tips. Then, at midnight Saturday, a caller said the suspect and baby Mychael were spotted at about 100 miles away in Clovis, New Mexico.

HUDGENS: Clovis PD located the baby, Mychael, at a residence there in Clovis in the company of an adult female.

OPPENHEIM: Police would not release the suspect's name, but when CNN called the Curry County Detention Center in New Mexico about inmates who were recently booked, we were told 21-year-old Rayshaun Parson is being held as fugitive of justice from Lubbock County, Texas, for kidnapping.

For the record, baby Mychael's ordeal lasted for 26 hours. She was jaundiced and needed medical attention.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OPPENHEIM: Just a little update on the suspect, 21-year-old Rayshaun Parson. A lot happening at the same time, because in just 45 minutes, Rayshaun Parson is scheduled to have a hearing in New Mexico to determine whether or when she will be extradited back to Texas.

Lubbock police told me today, Heidi, that if she agrees to an extradition, it's possible she could be moved as early as today. And also, it's possible that she could face federal kidnapping charges. So, clearly, this woman is in trouble.

Back to you.

COLLINS: Yes, for crossing the border there, certainly.

All right. Keith Oppenheim, thanks so much for the latest on that.

HARRIS: And Heidi, this just in to CNN. The Pentagon has now confirmed that three top al Qaeda suspects suspected of direct involvement with the 9/11 attacks have now appeared before U.S. military review panels.

Our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, joins us now with more on this story just in to CNN -- Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Tony, this is the first known legal appearance by three of the most dangerous al Qaeda suspects that the U.S. has been holding. They appeared on Friday and Saturday in secret at Guantanamo Bay before military panels.

These are names that are known to many Americans. They were Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, one of the so-called masterminds of the 9/11 attacks; Ramzi Binalshibh, another key 9/11 planner and believed to be a member of the Hamburg, Germany, al Qaeda cell; and Abu Faraj al-Libbi, known as another top al Qaeda planner.

These three men were three of the 14 al Qaeda suspects that the U.S. had long been holding overseas at so-called secret prisons run by the CIA. They were transferred, all 14, to Guantanamo Bay by President Bush late last year. So now, indeed, for the first time they are going through legal proceedings. The proceeding that was held will determine if they are enemy combatants, and that will pave the way for President Bush to possibly recommend them for a military trial.

I have to tell you, these hearings were held without the news media in attendance. The news media has been at previous hearings at Guantanamo Bay. But these men are considered so high level, so dangerous, their information so key, that the U.S. military decided not to allow the news media in to see and hear these three men. Everything they say is expected to be classified.

We will get some type of transcript, but we're not expecting to get lot of information about these hearings that were just completed at Guantanamo Bay -- Tony.

HARRIS: And Barbara, just a quick question. And we may not know this because of the secret nature of this proceeding. Were the men represented by attorneys?

STARR: They do have the right to military counsel. That is part of the proceeding. But you're right, we do not at this point know an awful lot about this.

These men are considered three of the top al Qaeda operatives that the U.S. has in custody. So, actually very little is being said about these hearings that they were at.

As I say, news media has been at previous hearings, but a lot of criticism, because for the first time the Pentagon not allowing the news media in for the hearings, the proceedings against these three in particular -- Tony.

HARRIS: Which would also mean we have no idea to what extent the men were able to challenge the charges against them.

STARR: That is correct. I mean, certainly, I have to tell you, sort of the common sense dictates we expect that they did challenge the charges.

Many of the detainees that have gone through this process, we know that they have challenged them in the past. But without the news media there, we will only have the official redacted or sort of vetted transcript...

HARRIS: Sure.

STARR: ... provided by the U.S. military humans rights organizations. Already have been very critical of this and believe that an outside party should be allowed in.

But one of the things they're concerned about, these men were held in secret CIA prisons overseas. That is at least the characterization of their detention for many years now. And that they might blurt out if the news media is present information about where they were held and how they were held. That's not something that the Bush administration wants anybody to really hear about -- Tony.

HARRIS: CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr on this developing story just in to CNN. Barbara, thank you.

COLLINS: Face-off with a wall of flames. A California neighborhood watching and waiting as firefighters battle a big brushfire there. That's for sure.

Coming up, the very latest in the NEWSROOM.

HARRIS: Well, it is supposed to be a goodwill trip. But this is some of what President Bush has been facing on his visit to Latin America.

A live report from Guatemala coming up in the NEWSROOM.

COLLINS: A family falling apart. A troubled teenager, a child predator saw the opportunity and took it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When you see the house, what do you think?

THOMAS ROBERTS, CNN HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: I wish I had never seen it. I wish I had never seen this house.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: HEADLINE NEWS anchor Thomas Roberts talks about his private agony, abused by his Catholic priest. Thomas will be here live coming up soon in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: President Bush facing another day of tough crowds in Latin America. The president in Guatemala this morning, the latest stop in his five-nation tour of the region. The official welcome mat is out, but so are the protesters.

CNN en Espanol's Juan Carlos Lopez is traveling with the president.

Juan Carlos, tell us a little bit about what President Bush's day looks like today.

JUAN CARLOS LOPEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Heidi, he started out his day outside of Guatemala City, the capital, and there will be protests near to an archaeological site he will visit, and in Guatemala City. But he's never been really close to the protests. Security is very tight in this country.

President Bush will visit a U.S. military medical program helping people in Guatemala with medical needs. He will also go to this -- a plant that was created after the free trade agreement was signed between the two countries. And he will visit a farmer who organized a group of workers who are now exporting products to the U.S.

That is part of the visit. With topics such as immigration, Guatemala not only a source of immigrants to the U.S., but also a (INAUDIBLE). Guatemala borders Mexico. People come to Guatemala to go to the U.S. So immigration will be heavy on the agenda.

Also security. The Guatemalan government is facing a huge scandal. Three Salvadoran parliamentarians were murdered in this country. Police officers were arrested, believed to be responsible for that murder were killed inside a jail a few days later.

So President Oscar Berger is going to ask for more money for security forces, but there's a big concern about infiltration of drug cartels in Guatemala and security forces -- Heidi.

COLLINS: What is the connection, too, Juan Carlos, between Hugo Chavez and Guatemala?

LOPEZ: Well, it's very interesting. Guatemala is heading to elections in November. The leading candidate, Alvaro Colom, a veteran of Guatemalan politics and a left-leaning candidate, seems to have the -- seems to be beating other candidates. He seems to be ahead.

And there is a discussion in Guatemala. They're saying that President Hugo Chavez is sending money to Guatemala to help Colom. That isn't clear. They say he's sending it to the unions in Guatemala.

So there is a debate about possible influence by Hugo Chavez. Remember that there's been a controversy over Latin America where elections have taken place and countries where Chavez has openly supported a candidate. So that's going to be very interesting to see, how it works out in Guatemala.

But as things stand, the government of Oscar Berger ends in November, or at least elections come in November. He is a strong ally of the U.S. And Guatemala could be another country with a left-leaning president if Alvaro Colom is successful.

COLLINS: CNN en Espanol's Juan Carlos Lopez.

Juan Carlos, thank you.

HARRIS: Not quite spring, but it is hot by the pool. Yikes. Fire (INAUDIBLE) in southern California. Fighting back, in the NEWSROOM.

Safe and sound. A kidnapped newborn back in the arms of her mother this morning. The suspect in the hands of the authorities. The mother expected to speak to the media just minutes from now. You'll hear from her in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: At any moment we should learn more about the weekend kidnapping of a Texas newborn baby. The baby safe and sound now and back in her mother's arms this morning.

Now we will hear from the mom and dad. We just saw the baby there going by with the mother in the wheelchair there, you can see. We're going to be hearing from hospital officials in Lubbock, Texas, as well, which is where it all happened. How did a woman pose as an employee to steal that baby? The newborn was tucked inside the woman's purse, in surveillance video that we saw.

HARRIS: Oh.

COLLINS: Look at her look at her.

HARRIS: Yeah.

COLLINS: Very cute.

Then at the top of the hour we're going to have a court hearing scheduled for this suspect. Judge in New Mexico will consider returning her to Texas to face charge there. I want to go ahead and take listen to this -- not exactly sure the order of speakers. You see both parents there. Let's listen for just a moment.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Back happily and safely in mommy's arms. They have requested that this please be a photo opportunity only for baby, mommy and daddy and family. I know that's hard for all of you. But I want to be very respectful of their dignity and their wishes.

The father, Darrell Darthard, and grandfather of the baby, and father of the mommy has some words they want to say. I'm going to turn it over to Darrell. But again, the media has been nothing but respectful and courteous. And I know you have all been a part of this, along with law enforcement, the grace of God, and the Clovis police. So Darryl has some things to say. They do not want to take answers and questions.

So, Daryl, I'm going to let you talk for the family.

DARRELL DARTHARD, FATHER OF ABDUCTED NEWBORN: Yes, Ma'am.

First of all, I would like to say thank you, everybody, for coming today and this is from the Darthard and the Dawodu family. First of all we would like to thank God and all who prayed for us, for the family through this ordeal. And we would like to honor the Amber Alert program, Lubbock Police Department, Clovis Police Department, FBI, Covenant Crisis Management Team, and all others who helped with the investigation.

We're just happy to have her back, and it's not that we're not grateful, we just want some privacy with the family and spend some time with her. Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Again, to all of you, I know you want so much more, but at this time their dignity and their privacy is utmost important. So thank you for being here. And for the grace of God, the reuniting of mommy, daddy and baby, and all of this family. God bless everybody.

QUESTION: May I ask a pronunciation question. Did you say Dawodu?

DARTHARD: Yes, sir. Dawodu.

QUESTION: And how do you spell you name?

DARTHARD: Darthard.

QUESTION: And your first name?

DARTHARD: Darrell.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: D-A-R-R-Y-L?

DARTHARD: D-A-double-R-E-double-L.

QUESTION: Forgive us for trying but is there anything that the parents would say without asking questions, something they want to say on their own?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He said all I wanted to say. So, I mean, basically the same thing he said, we've said it all. Thank you, God, basically, for everything that you did, Amber Alert, Covenant Hospital and that's all we have to say for the time being.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You did a great job.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

COLLINS: So there you have it a very short press conference but understandably so after what this family has been through. We heard from the grandfather of the baby, and father of this woman here, the mother of the baby, Kiesha Darthard, to just say thank you to everyone involved.

Now they really want to spend some time with this tiny, tiny little newborn baby Mychael Dawodu. As you may remember the story over the weekend that happened. Police in Clovis, New Mexico, finally found the four-day-old little baby after someone had come into the hospital, posed as a hospital employee and stolen this baby. We've heard these stories before. Very, very frightening. Good outcome here.

HARRIS: Boy, you understand the family wanting some privacy and some moments to -- oh, this is the suspect.

And we understand that there is an extradition hearing that is going to take place about noon Eastern Time. That is just to determine whether Rayshaun Parson will waive extradition so she can be brought back to Texas to face charges against her.

You can understand the family's desire to sort of come together and spend some time with the baby. But, boy, do we have questions for the hospital officials, as to how this could have happened. Clearly, a security breakdown. But maybe there will be another time when we can ask all of those questions. But look at the little one.

COLLINS: Thank God for the security video, too. That's what really gave it away to the investigators in this one.

HARRIS: Yes.

And still to come in the NEWSROOM although you would like to stay here for the rest of the morning, but still to come in the NEWSROOM public personality, private hell. Troubled young man turns to his parish priest for support, but that trust is abused. Our own Thomas Roberts tells his story, in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: A priest, a troubled boy, dark crimes committed long ago. In a special report, Thomas Roberts of Headline News share as painful secret with CNN's Anderson Cooper. It's part of our special programming tonight, "Sins Of The Father."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR, ANDERSON COOPER 360 (voice over): In the fall of 1986 Thomas Roberts started his freshman year at the prestigious Calvert Hall. He adjusted quickly to the new school, but the strain of his parents' divorce was a constant source of struggle.

THOMAS ROBERTS, HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: My relationship with my parents through that time and with my mom going back to work and all these changes, I pulled back. I kind of disconnected from my family environment.

COOPER: By Thomas' sophomore year his mother, Michelle, realized the emotional and financial difficulties at home were too much for her son to deal with alone. Struggling herself just to make ends meet, she looked to a familiar face to help mentor her son, someone she felt she could trust. She turned to the man who already helped Thomas get into the school, Father Jeff Toohey (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I felt he needed a male influence. Who better, you know, than a Catholic priest who's charming and kind and wonderful, you know. I wanted Thomas to be just like him.

COOPER (on camera): Who better?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yeah.

ROBERTS: That night I remember getting dropped off at Father Jeff's house. And we began a conversation in his den where he just started to ask what's going on with you. So he took a kind ear, you know, and listened to me. I remember it was a conversation that I cried. I let Father Jeff know that my relationship with my parents wasn't where it should be.

From this conversation forward he pretty much knew that I was a kid without anybody, you know, to talk to.

COOPER (voice over): No one to talk to except, of course, Father Jeff. After that first conversation, Thomas believed he finally had someone he could confide in. He trusted Father Jeff and continued to return to the priest's house on Cottage Lane.

COOPER (on camera): When you see the house, what do you think?

ROBERTS: I wish I had never seen it. I wish I had never seen this house. Never.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: That's a very tough story to watch. My dear friend Thomas Roberts joining us now this morning in the NEWSROOM to tell us more about this.

Thomas, thanks so much for telling the story, first and foremost.

ROBERTS: Sure.

COLLINS: Take us back, if you could to the day. We saw your mother in the piece. I know that's got to be really tough for you. What has been the toughest through throughout all of this?

ROBERTS: In recent times, the emotion that comes with realizing what happened to me as a kid. You know, as a kid the secrecy and the shame, that was all compounded together for years until you've realized that you're so numb that you pretend this isn't your reality.

As an adult and trying to go back and deal with all of this, it's emotional. And the emotion that gets, for me, I mean, the emotion that comes out of this -- and it's hard for me to talk about this here now. You're a dear friend of mine. So it is -- it's just tough because you realize this is your reality. This is what you have to go through.

And for me it was such an isolating place, I thought I was the only person in the world going through something like this. And now as an adult you come up to realize you're not alone, there are other people out there that are just like you that are struggling with something like this. I only hope that this story can help other people deal with their own struggles if they are coping.

COLLINS: I imagine that's certainly the reason why you did it. Did you ever think back then when this was all going on that, you know, I've got to tell somebody about this? I've got to make sure that people know this has happened to me and I have been abused?

ROBERTS: No, I couldn't. I mean, the situation was my parents were divorcing, I was upset by that. I get sent to Father Jeff, he got me into this high school. I was afraid I'd be expelled. I had nobody to turn to. I didn't think anybody would believe me. I figured I would just crush my parents to know their failure at marriage, set me up for the type of abuse that then happened for my counseling. So there was nowhere to turn. The only thing I could do as a kid was just remain quiet and pretend like everything is fine, everything is normal.

COLLINS: I'm sure there are so many kids who have had that same exact feeling when going through something like this. How did you get strong enough to tell now and then go through this incredible court case?

ROBERTS: It's taken years of actually being able to talk about this in therapy. You know, started in therapy. That really helped. And they explained to me it's like your hand in front of your face, so close you don't realize it's a hand. And when you start to pull the hand back you can recognize what that is.

What this abuse is. How this is a crime. And for me, that's what happened through talking about this and finally being able to cry it out, basically, and understand that this was a crime committed against a kid. And I should tell, I should tell and scream it from the hilltops until everybody hears.

COLLINS: And then the sentence came against Father Jeff, which was I believe was 18 months. He ended up serving 10 months.

ROBERTS: Right.

COLLINS: I imagine there's frustration there. Initially what did you think of that sentence, was it enough?

ROBERTS: It was a five-year sentence from Judge Turnbow, in Maryland, and all but 18 months was suspended. Put in jail and released after serving shy of just 10 months, and was put on home detention for the remainder. So currently wearing an anklet, living at home and will be done early summertime with that. So it's really an inconvenience right now, for the remainder.

COLLINS: Right. Do you think about that? Do you think about him finishing up that sentence and where and what he will do next?

ROBERTS: I don't. I don't put too much thought into that anymore. My thought now is moving forward with my life in the most positive and best way I can, with my family and the support of great friends and colleagues, and everybody around me. Knowing what the truth of all this is, and maybe we can affect some change here. That's what I'm hoping.

COLLINS: I certainly appreciate you sharing the story with us tonight. And the story tonight is one not to miss. That's for certain. Thomas Roberts, thank you for being here.

Again, want to remind everybody, that you can see more of Thomas Roberts' heart-wrenching story tonight. Don't miss the unforgettable hour, "Sins of the Father" coming up 10:00 p.m. Eastern only on CNN.

HARRIS: Still to come in the NEWSROOM: Sorry, wrong number, cell phones banned in hospitals now a top authority in medicine raises questions. We'll explain in the NEWSROOM

And the trouble with teens. Scientists may have unlocked the mystery of post-pubescent moodiness. Parents will want to hear this, coming up next in the NEWSROOM

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HARRIS: Let me show you some amazing pictures. We've been telling you about the efforts under way right now -- boy, all kinds of equipment being thrown at the wildfires, huge wildfire. You're seeing just a bit of it right now. This is the Anaheim Hills, above 35 miles or so from downtown, Los Angeles.

Great pictures in from our affiliate out there, KTLA, of just one spot you can see just how intense the flame is here. Over the weekend, just a number of evacuations, hundreds of homes at one point. Folks just told to get out, grab what you can and just go. We understand that in some areas folks are being allowed back to their homes just to sort of survey the premises, and the property to see what they can take out of it. But there are still all kinds of red flag warnings up.

As we take a wider view you can see what it is that the firefighters are up against, helicopters, bulldozers, everything being thrown in this. We'll keep an eye on this picture for you.

COLLINS: Meanwhile, want to check in with Jim Clancy, I believe, coming up in few minutes is "Your World Today."

There he is. Hey, Jim.

JIM CLANCY, CNN INT'L. ANCHOR: Hi, how are you doing, Heidi, and Tony, too. Welcome back.

Well, you know, suicide bombings blur the lines between what is sectarian and political violence in Iraq. One thing is surely clear that is that 40 percent of Iraq's 26 million people -- that is the children under the age of 15 -- are feeling the ground under their lives, and under their futures shudder. We're going to have a report. What is happening to Iraq's children?

Also, some of Al Qaeda's top terrorists are already being held with U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. What's in store for them? Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr is going to be joining us live with the latest on the hearing held over the weekend an what that could mean for bringing them to justice.

Plus, the story of two Russian women returning home, to the United States, after being poisoned mysteriously in Moscow. What's behind it? We're going to talk to the brother of one of the victims. All the news with an international perspective, coming up on "Your World Today". See you then.

HARRIS: Beautiful. Thanks, Jim.

COLLINS: Thanks, Jim.

Teen angst, it turns out mice may be able to explain why teenagers are so darn moody. Specifically, scientists are studying the hormone THP, in female mice. Our bodies produce it when we're stressed out. Researchers say the hormone calms adults and younger children, but it actually increases anxiety in adolescents.

HARRIS: Hospitals one of the last refuge where's cell phones are banned. Enjoy it for now. New research at the Mayo Clinic shows cell phones don't interfere with hospital equipment. Researchers did find a portable CD player can cause machines to go haywire.

You know those, anti-theft devices set up in store doors? Those can actually cause pacemakers to malfunction. Yikes.

To get your daily dose of health news online log on to our website and find the latest medical news, a health library, information on diet and fitness. The address, cnn.com/health.

COLLINS: Gas prices surging past the $3 mark again in parts of the country, driving and crying, in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: The rising cost of gas, fueling frustrations; boy, that's for sure. Prices are about 20 cents higher than two weeks ago. The Lundberg Survey of 7,000 stations reports self-serve regular averaging $2.55 a gallon. The highest average price, $3.10, in n San Francisco. No, surprise there. The lowest, $2.22 in Anchorage, Alaska.

What's the reason for the spike? Some refineries are closing facilities for maintenance and repairs. That drop in production has energy traders pushing prices higher. You think it's bad now? Consider this. The cost of cleaner-burning summer blends -- more expensive. So get ready, everybody.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR, CNN NEWSROOM: Going to cost a lot for Heidi Collins to fill up.

COLLINS: I know. I use a scooter. That's it.

LEMON: A lot coming up today on the afternoon edition of the CNN NEWSROOM. Horror story with a happy ending. You guys both saw it, a newborn snatched from the hospital is back with its parents. You just saw the family reunion a short while ago. At 1 o'clock, in the 1 o'clock hour some of you share your stories about hospital baby mix- ups.

And fierce battles leaving America's fighting men and women with physical and emotion scars. Doctor Richard Jaddick (ph), pulled wounded Marines from the front lines to the battle cruiser. The Bronze Star Navy doctor tells us his story later.

COLLINS: Sorry, we're running out of time. We will tune in for sure, at 1 o'clock.

LEMON: You guys don't like me.

COLLINS: Thanks, Don Lemon.

HARRIS: Your World Today is next. I'm Tony Harris.

COLLINS: And I'm Heidi Collins. Have a good day everybody.

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