The military mom who had her children taken away and placed in foster homes has regained custody.

  • Amanda Hurst has custody of children after long court battle
  • Hurst's mom turned over kids to New Jersey family care
  • Reunited, Hurst and kids now live together in New Smyrna Beach

Amanda Hurst joined the U.S. Army in 2008 and gave custody of her children to her mother.

The children's grandmother traveled to New Jersey and felt she could no longer care for Julianna and Romeo Patterson, turning them over to New Jersey family care.

Hurst served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, but her biggest battle was on American soil as she fought to regain custody of her children and reunite her family.

That battle included jurisdictional fights between New Jersey and Florida family courts, each claiming the other had jurisdiction.

But that battle came to a happy conclusion this weekend when Hurst obtained custody and brought her children to her New Smyrna Beach home.

"The only regret I have about serving my country is this happening," said Hurst, a relieved mother with her two children by her side.

"It felt like she had been taken away from me," said Romeo Patterson, Hurst's 16-year-old son.

Romeo and his sister, Julianna, 15, were separated and placed in foster homes. Both siblings were physically attacked while their mom continued fighting for custody. It was an emotional battle which at times would take its toll on all three.

"I have tears of joy, because I'm here with my family and this is what I wanted for so long. But it's also tears ofsadness because sometimes I do think if my mom never went into the Army, we wouldn't have to go through this," said Julianna through tears, with a tearful mother at her side.

"One of the main things we do as parents is protect our children. And when you're put in a position where you're not able to do that because they're not letting you do it, it's like running your head into a brick wall."

Unlike their stay in foster homes, the two have a bedroom they can call their own. All three are battle weary but realize the battle is not over.

"No matter what, never quit fighting for the ones that you love." said a proud mother surrounded by her children again.

Both teenagers say the only thing that can separate them from their mom every again is college.

"It's like a happy ending. The battle's not over, because we still have to learn to live with each other. We haven't been together in forever. So the battle is only half-won," Julianna said.

Said Romeo: "We can call ourselves normal, everyday people. We don't have to say, oh, hang on, I'm in a foster home."