Hakken sentenced to 15 years after bizarre rant in court

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Sentencing day has come for the Hakkens, the couple that made worldwide headlines when they kidnapped their children and fled from Florida to Cuba.

The judge sentenced Joshua Hakken to 15 years in prison for the crime, but it's what happened before the sentencing that has many talking.

Hakken was given the chance to address the court, and those in the room say he took the opportunity and ran with it.

For over 30 minutes, Hakken went on a rant, accusing the government of conspiracy, warning the court that the end of the world is near and even proclaiming himself a prophet.

VIDEO: Click here to watch some of it

Then, through tears, he told the judge he and his wife took the kids from their grandmother because at the time he felt he was going insane and needed to flee the country with his family.

A doctor originally declared Hakken insane, but told the judge he changed his mind after other “legal nuances."

Hakken's wife, Sharyn, accepted a plea deal for the kidnapping last month. She was sentenced to seven years in prison.