Mother hopes she can be an advocate for victims of domestic violence

STURGIS, Mich. -- A Sturgis mother is relieved that her three kids are now safe.

The children's father, who was armed, took them last night after the two had a fight, which triggered an AMBER Alert.

Adriana Lopez says after all she's been through in the last day, she is very happy to be home safe with her kids.

Now, she hopes she can be an advocate for victims of domestic violence.

Seven years is how long Adriana Lopez says she's been in an abusive relationship with Fernando Cruz.

Last night, Lopez pleaded Cruz to bring the kids home as he had taken them, armed with a weapon, after an argument turned violent last night.

Lopez said the following in Spanish.

"I spoke to him on the phone," said Lopez. "I was talking to him and he calmed down. He said he was going to return with the kids here to the house. But then he turned the phone off and didn't want to answer."

Police say Cruz was driving at very high speeds during the chase last night.

Lopez says that Cruz threatened to wreck the car in an attempt to kill the kids.

"Yeah, he told that to me on the phone," said Lopez.

Now, after being reunited with her kids this morning, she says she feels very calm and safe.

Lopez hopes her story can help other women get out of abusive relationships.

"Don't let someone abuse you, because sometimes it can get to extremes. Fortunately, nothing horrible happened but sometimes it ends with worse consequences," said Lopez. "You can't let yourself be dominated or live like this, because it's not a life if you live like that."

Police expect Cruz to be charged with domestic violence, fleeing and eluding, and child endangerment.

They said kidnapping charges could be filed, but that it would be up to the prosecutor's office.