A Missouri father of four, who was put in prison last summer on the 13 year sentence for a crime he committed in 1999, has been freed by a judge, who has said the man is already rehabilitated and should no longer have to spend his time behind bars. The man has been stunned by the developments, and is now thanking God that he is back together with his family as a free man.

Cornealious "Mike" Anderson was put in prison in July 2013 after it was discovered that due to a clerical inaccuracy, he was not originally arrested by police for a robbery he committed at Burger King back in 1999.

However, this week Anderson was freed after Missouri Judge Terry Brown offered leniency to the now-father of four children, because the judge believed he was already now rehabilitated from the person he was in 1999 - one of the main objectives of having him put in prison. Anderson himself has admitted that he is still stunned that he has avoided the full 13 year sentence

"I didn't sleep at all,'' said Anderson to Savannah Guthrie on the "TODAY" show. "I watched my family, watched them sleeping. I just wanted to make sure I didn't wake up from a dream."

Along with Judge Brown granting him unmerited favor, he is also grateful to God.

"I didn't have words; just overwhelmed. I couldn't say anything. I was just thankful. Just thanked God, thanked my family and everyone that's been supporting us," said Anderson.

Anderson's wife LaQonna also echoed her husband's sentiments.

"The feeling was just great,'' said Mrs. Anderson to TODAY. "I missed my husband, I missed my best friend, my kids missed their father, and I'm just so glad that he's home."

Anderson revealed why he did not want his kids to see him behind bars when he was arrested in July 2013.

"Especially with children, they're so young and impressionable, you don't know how it's going to affect them,'' said Anderson, who saw his kids on May 5 for the first time in 10 months. "I don't think any child should have to see their father or loved one like that because I didn't want my children to feel that was normal (or) something that's acceptable, so I didn't want them to see me like that."

Anderson revealed in another interview, he thought about turning himself over to authorities in the past but changed his mind.

"The thought crossed my mind, but once someone tells you it's not your job to turn yourself in, it's (the state's) job to come and get you, it's like, 'Hey I'm going to enjoy every moment that I can,''' said Anderson to TODAY's correspondent Kate Snow in an interview from behind bars last week.

The Burger King Assistant Manager who Anderson stole from over a decade ago also came to his defense, acknowledging that he has gone on to become a model citizen.

"That's awesome,'' said Anderson to Gutherie. "That in itself is enough for me. It lets you know his character, his integrity as a man and, I don't know if he's gotten over it, but he can get to the point where he can say, 'Hey that man messed up, he was young, but look at him now.' To hear it from him, that should just let everybody know there that that's a testimony in itself."

Anderson revealed that his faith in God has been strengthened like never before because of the developments.

"I just learned God is good, His hand was in this the whole time. It sounds weird, but if I had to do it all over again, I don't know if I'd do anything different because He's just showed me so much of what's going on and just the lives that He's touching. It's not about us, it's not about me," said Anderson to Today. "He's doing something for other people out there...I got letters from strangers all over the U.S. that I don't even know and...I had people telling me that they gave up, that they weren't even praying anymore, listening to God, and something told them that they need to pray, that they need to help. Just God working in their life is awesome."

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