The mother of Austin Tice, an American journalist captured in Syria, said the news of Travis Timmerman's recent prison release has sparked new hope that her son will soon walk free.

Travis Timmerman said he was detained when he crossed into Syria illegally on foot seven months ago while on a Christian pilgrimage.

Travis Timmerman, a U.S. citizen found wandering barefoot in Damascus after being freed from a Syrian prison following the fall of the Assad regime, was handed over to U.S. forces in Syria on Friday.

Travis Timmerman, 29, was flown to Jordan on a U.S. military helicopter, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.