Runaway Sisters Returned to Adopted Parents

Three New Mexico sisters who ran away last week in search of their biological mother were reunited with their adopted family late last week, authorities said.

From left: Mercedes Marie Lara-Dickson, Ellen Lara-Dickson, Elizabeth Sue Lara-Dickson

(New Mexico State Police)

The girls fled their adopted home near Truth or Consequences, N.M., Monday morning and made their way to Mexico, where they met their biological mother and other relatives, Sgt. Glenn Hamilton of the Sierra County Sheriff's Office told ABC News.

Mercedes Marie Lara-Dickson, 14, Stacy Ellen Lara-Dickson, 13, and Elizabeth Sue Lara-Dickson, 7, left behind a note alleging that they had been abused by their adopted father, Dan Dickson. Hamilton said there was no evidence the girls had been abused.

Their biological mother, identified by Hamilton as Elizabeth Rodriguez, is under a court order not to have any contact with her children, Hamilton said. She and Mercedes' boyfriend, who helped the girls escape, may be charged in connection with their disappearance, he said.

The boyfriend, Jose Luis Villa-Diaz, 15, told police that he drove the three girls early Monday morning from Truth or Consequences about 75 miles south to Las Cruces, N.M. From there, the girls traveled south and crossed into Juarez, Mexico, where they met their relatives.

But, after seeing the publicity generated by their disappearance, Rodriguez told her daughters that she could not stay with them for fear of being caught in violation of the court order and sent to prison, Hamilton said. He said she told the girls she planned to return to New Mexico, but would send them money if they decided to remain in Mexico.

The girls turned themselves in to U.S. border officials Thursday and were returned to their adopted family Friday.

Hamilton said the Dicksons and the girls were going to counseling.

"They've been through a lot," he said.

The girls have lived with the Dicksons since August 2006. They were taken from Rodriguez after allegations of abuse and neglect.

Hamilton said Rodriguez has not been found.