Blackpool mum reunited with baby taken by Turkish father

10:29am Thursday 24th July 2008

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A year long tug-of-love battle ended in ‘overwhelming joy’ for a Blackpool mum yesterday when she was finally reunited with her son, reporter Chris Gee exclusively reveals.

Yvonne Pallagast, 42, of Peter Street, has fought for the return of 22-month-old Ozgur, known to all as Teo, after he was taken to Turkey by his father, against her wishes.

The baby was taken to Golcuk, near Istanbul, by his Turkish father Devrim Avsar in June last year, supposedly for a holiday.

However, he was then left in the care of his paternal grandmother.

Teo had lived there ever since, leaving his mother and five older half-brothers and sisters close to despair and desperately seeking his return.

Mrs Pallagast has embarked on a year-long legal battle to ensure the return of her beloved son, spending three months in Turkey earlier this year working towards a solution.

Speaking just minutes after returning to her home after picking up Teo from Manchester Airport, Yvonne said: “Finally, my family is complete again.

“There have been tears and heartbreak for all my family and I’ve not been able to rest while my little boy has not been with us.

“I’ve been a different person since he went and there were some very dark times for me.

"To see him with his brothers and sisters is overwhelming for me and I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all the friends, neighbours and others who have supported me in my efforts to bring Teo home.”

One of Teo's half-sisters, Danica, 15, said: “It’s just so great to have him back and know he is with his family.

“He's lovely, bright and playful and we all missed him so much.”

The Turkish authorities and the UK Ministry of Justice have been working to help Mrs Pallagast, who has a residency order for Teo.

A court order granted earlier this month at County Court in Preston forced Mr Avsar to hand over his son.

Mrs Pallagast was in a relationship with Mr Avsar for two years prior to him taking Teo overseas.

She was widowed ten years ago after a 17-year marriage which produced four children.

Her eldest 25-year-old son, was from a prior relationship.

She said until the relationship broke down, Mr Avsar was a loving and attentive father.

Mrs Pallagast said she was looking positively to the future and would not be bearing grudges.

“The law took its course and I’m thankful to Devrim for eventually bringing Teo back to Blackpool.

“It’s time to concentrate on the future and make sure Teo has a happy and peaceful life.

"I just can’t believe he’s here in my arms, my little boy is back home at last.”