2 kids missing after supervised visit with father in Newark found safe; dad in custody

NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- Two children who were reported missing after a supervised visit with their father in Newark have been found in the Boston area and are safe.

Their father is in custody in Boston, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

At about 7:30 p.m. Monday, police received a report of the missing children during 30-year-old Moso Tene's visit at the Wilentz Justice Complex on Washington Street.

Police say Tene, who is homeless and has a history of drug addiction, left the visit with the children, 5-year-old Sammy Tene and 4-year-old China Tene, around 4 p.m.

A supervising worker from the State of New Jersey had left the room during the visit. When the worker returned, the father and children were gone.

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families issued a statement:

"State and federal confidentiality laws prohibit us from commenting on or confirming allegations or individual investigations, or even confirming whether or not we are involved with a child or family. Without regard to a specific incident or allegation, supervised visits are permitted between a child and a parent or guardian from whom custody of the child has been removed when it is deemed appropriate by DCF and ordered by a Family Court. The protocol is to have such supervised visits observed by a supervisor designated by DCF and/or Family Court, and designated supervisors may include a parent or guardian not suspected of abuse or neglect, a relative, a family friend, or even DCF staff. When questions or claims arise regarding whether a designated supervisor neglectfully supervised a visit, DCF conducts an investigation. If the supervisor is a member of DCF staff, the investigation is conducted by the Conflicts Unit in the Office of the Law Guardian within the Office of the Public Defender to avoid any conflicts of interest."

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867).