Over the following days, Hegseth bonded with Mateo. They played catch in the backyard, shared meals together, and even started a nightly ritual of reading Bible stories before bed. It was a short but deeply meaningful chapter that gave both of them something they hadn’t felt in a long time—peace.
“I haven’t seen Pete this joyful in years,” a colleague at Fox News said. “He spoke about Mateo like he had been part of his family forever.”
The Unexpected Reunion. But just as life seemed to be turning around, the unimaginable happened. One week into their new life together, Mateo’s biological parents, who had been searching for their son through international channels, arrived in the city. Through coordination with child protection lawyers and welfare agencies, they located Mateo.
At first, Hegseth was relieved. The idea that Mateo might be reunited with his family brought hope—until the reality set in.
Mateo’s parents, though grateful their son was safe, had different plans. Due to cultural differences, international custody laws, and a long legal battle abroad, they decided to take Mateo back immediately to their home country—without so much as a transitional period.
For Hegseth, the news came like a thunderbolt. No warning. No goodbye.
