A father accused of kidnaping his four children was returned toLincoln County Thursday night and has been released on bond,authorities said Friday.

Lincoln County Sheriff Lynn Boyte said law enforcement officialsflew to Miami Thursday to pick up Earl “Mutt” Wallace after he wasarrested in the Dominican Republic Saturday afternoon. Wallace wasbrought to the Florida city Tuesday. The sheriff said hisdepartment had 10 days from that day to retrieve him.

“He was brought in last night about 10 o’clock,” Boyte said.

Wallace was arrested on a charge of intestate removal of a childunder age 14 by a non-custodial parent with intent to violate acourt order. The sheriff said Wallace, who was described as “verycooperative,” was then released on a $25,000 property bond.

Prior to his Saturday arrest, Wallace had been missing sinceFeb. 22 when he picked up his four children: Garrett, 12; Hunter,11; Abbey, 7 and Kitty Claire, 3, from school for his scheduledweekend visit. Of Feb. 24, he did not return them to his ex-wife,Kristin, and she sought authorities’ help in locating Wallace andthe children.

Kristin Wallace has been staying at an undisclosed location andhas not made any public statements following the children’sreturn.

Since Wallace has been released on bond, a preliminary hearingis not required and his case automatically can be bound over forgrand jury consideration.

“The next step is presenting the case to the Lincoln CountyGrand Jury,” said District Attorney Danny Smith.

The next scheduled session of the grand jury is April 15,although Smith was uncertain whether the Wallace case will be readyfor presentation at that time.

With Wallace back in Lincoln County, Boyte said the courts canbegin to sort out the situation.

“Our goal has been to bring everything back here and let thecourts do what they see fit to do,” Boyte said.