US couple cleared in young daughter's death in Qatar attend Southern California church service

Matthew, second right and Grace Huang, right, accompanied by their sons, celebrate with Pastor Gregory Waybrightt, left, during a service at Lake Avenue Church Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 in Pasadena, Calif. The Huangs gained international attention when Qatari authorities arrested them in January 2013 on charges of starving their African-born daughter, Gloria, to death. The couple, who are of Asian descent, had adopted Gloria in Ghana when she was 4 years old, and are the parents of two other adopted, African-born children. (AP Photo/Simon Qiu) (The Associated Press)

In this photo provided by Simon Qiu, Matthew, third right, and Grace Huang, second right right, accompanied by their sons, sing during a service at Lake Avenue Church, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 in Pasadena, Calif. The Huangs gained international attention when Qatari authorities arrested them in January 2013 on charges of starving their African-born daughter, Gloria, to death. The couple, who are of Asian descent, had adopted Gloria in Ghana when she was 4 years old, and are the parents of two other adopted, African-born children. (AP Photo/Simon Qiu) (The Associated Press)

PASADENA, Calif. – An American couple detained in Qatar before being cleared in the death of their 8-year-old daughter is attending a church service in Southern California.

Matthew and Grace Huang are at the Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena. Worshippers stood, clapped and cheered when the couple and their two surviving children were called up to the dais. Matthew Huang briefly addressed the congregation, saying he was thankful to be home. He said the two years spent in Qatar were extremely difficult.

The Huangs gained international attention when Qatari authorities arrested them in January 2013 on charges of starving their African-born daughter to death.

The Huangs spent nearly a year in jail and they were convicted of child endangerment. An appeals court judge overturned their conviction last week and said they could leave.