Father reunited with his boy after losing him for 2 months

Hermelindo Che Coc was reunited with his 6-year-old son after being separated at the border under the Trump administration's zero-tolerance policy on immigration. But he was shocked at the boy's state after nearly two months: thin, with skin covered by a rash, he stared vacantly at the floor.

Hermelindo Che Coc learned his son was coming home and immediately began to prepare for his arrival.

Nearly two months had passed since he’d seen his 6-year-old boy after they were separated at the border while traveling from Guatemala to seek asylum.

On Saturday, the father mopped floors and washed bed sheets at the home in the L.A. area where he was staying. He cooked a big pot of chicken soup, his son’s favorite.

“I want him to walk in here and know he’s home,” Che Coc said. “I’m his papa and we’ll always be together.”

Their reunification at Los Angeles International Airport later that evening would be among the first in California, as the Trump administration tries to meet a court deadline and reunite nearly 3,000 children it separated from their families in a zero-tolerance immigration policy. Many of the children and parents are Central American and are expected to eventually make their way to L.A.

At home, time seemed to drag as Che Coc waited for his ride to the airport. He went over in his mind the first words he would say to his son. “Welcome, my boy.” “You’re with me again.” He bought him a blue Spider-Man blanket, a couple of shirts and shorts, and some sandals with bright yellow happy faces.

But no amount of planning could have prepared him for the empty gaze he’d find in his son’s eyes as he swept the boy into his arms.

Jefferson Che Pop, a playful boy who loved racing tiny cars across the dirt floor of his Guatemala home, stood stiff, staring vacantly at the gray carpet, then at his father.

Jefferson had been held in a detention shelter called Cayuga Centers in New York. He had spoken to Che Coc three times in 46 days

Hermelindo Che Coc was reunited with his 6-year-old son after being separated at the border under the Trump administration's zero-tolerance policy on immigration. But he was shocked at the boy's state after nearly two months: thin, with skin covered by a rash, he stared vacantly at the floor.

Hermelindo Che Coc learned his son was coming home and immediately began to prepare for his arrival.

Nearly two months had passed since he’d seen his 6-year-old boy after they were separated at the border while traveling from Guatemala to seek asylum.

On Saturday, the father mopped floors and washed bed sheets at the home in the L.A. area where he was staying. He cooked a big pot of chicken soup, his son’s favorite.

“I want him to walk in here and know he’s home,” Che Coc said. “I’m his papa and we’ll always be together.”

Their reunification at Los Angeles International Airport later that evening would be among the first in California, as the Trump administration tries to meet a court deadline and reunite nearly 3,000 children it separated from their families in a zero-tolerance immigration policy. Many of the children and parents are Central American and are expected to eventually make their way to L.A.

At home, time seemed to drag as Che Coc waited for his ride to the airport. He went over in his mind the first words he would say to his son. “Welcome, my boy.” “You’re with me again.” He bought him a blue Spider-Man blanket, a couple of shirts and shorts, and some sandals with bright yellow happy faces.

But no amount of planning could have prepared him for the empty gaze he’d find in his son’s eyes as he swept the boy into his arms.

Jefferson Che Pop, a playful boy who loved racing tiny cars across the dirt floor of his Guatemala home, stood stiff, staring vacantly at the gray carpet, then at his father.

Jefferson had been held in a detention shelter called Cayuga Centers in New York. He had spoken to Che Coc three times in 46 days