Missing Boy Found After 11 Years!

[Roamer]

PHOENIX -- A fugitive accused of kidnapping his girlfriend's child is in custody, 11 years after the kidnapping occurred, the FBI said.

Agents said Walter Mitchell, also known as Walter Dimiano or Walter Damiano, abducted his live-in girlfriend's 9-month-old child from their west Phoenix home near Thomas Road and 21st Drive on Aug. 31, 1996. Mitchell is not the child's father.

Phoenix police investigated the kidnapping, and a warrant was issued for Mitchell's arrest in April 1997. He was charged with custodial interference.

In July 1997, a federal warrant was issued for Mitchell's arrest, and the FBI began investigating the case.


On Thursday, more than 10 years after the arrest warrants were issued, the FBI said it located Mitchell and the child at Mitchell's parents' home near 51st Avenue and Union Hills Drive in Peoria.

Mitchell was arrested at his parents' home around 6 p.m. and transported to the Fourth Avenue Jail.

The child was placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.

Karen Peterson is a child psychologist at Phoenix Children's hospital. She said the emotional toll this could have on a 12-year-old boy is enormous.

"I think what would be the most troubling for a child would be to have adult expectations," she said. "My guess is it would be very confusing for the child."

Bond for Mitchell was set at $63,000. His next court date was set for Dec. 14.

http://www.kpho.com/news/14803662/detail.html

[WarmNCozy]

PHOENIX -- A fugitive accused of kidnapping his girlfriend's child is in custody, 11 years after the kidnapping occurred, the FBI said.

Agents said Walter Mitchell, also known as Walter Dimiano or Walter Damiano, abducted his live-in girlfriend's 9-month-old child from their west Phoenix home near Thomas Road and 21st Drive on Aug. 31, 1996. Mitchell is not the child's father.

Phoenix police investigated the kidnapping, and a warrant was issued for Mitchell's arrest in April 1997. He was charged with custodial interference.

In July 1997, a federal warrant was issued for Mitchell's arrest, and the FBI began investigating the case.


On Thursday, more than 10 years after the arrest warrants were issued, the FBI said it located Mitchell and the child at Mitchell's parents' home near 51st Avenue and Union Hills Drive in Peoria.

Mitchell was arrested at his parents' home around 6 p.m. and transported to the Fourth Avenue Jail.

The child was placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.

Karen Peterson is a child psychologist at Phoenix Children's hospital. She said the emotional toll this could have on a 12-year-old boy is enormous.

"I think what would be the most troubling for a child would be to have adult expectations," she said. "My guess is it would be very confusing for the child."

Bond for Mitchell was set at $63,000. His next court date was set for Dec. 14.

http://www.kpho.com/news/14803662/detail.html

What a miracle!:happy0158:

[Roamer]

What a miracle!:happy0158:


It is, isn't it? And just in time for Christmas.

But it will be so hard for him to adjust to another life. I hope they get him the help he needs right away.

[4thekids]

"Bond for Mitchell was set at $63,000." That's way too low for this animal taking a baby boy from his home and keeping him for 11 years. God knows what he did to this child.

from another article:

As it turned out he was still living in Arizona and had moved in with his parents in Peoria with the boy, less than 20 miles from the home he lived in 11 years ago. Mitchell was picked up by authorities at the house on Thursday and the now 12-year-old boy was placed in Child Protective Services.

http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=30043&cat=0

Why isn't he with his mum? :(

[Jazz]

It is, isn't it? And just in time for Christmas.

But it will be so hard for him to adjust to another life. I hope they get him the help he needs right away.

And we will hope and pray for more miracles!!

[hinman]

I just love stories with these endings.

You know I watched a lifetime movie that this reminds me of. The mom finally finds her son after amny years of him being kidnapped. They have more kids now and the son that is found really wants no part of the family. He wants to stay with the original family that kidnapped him.

[GardenGirl]

$63,000.00?? Is this in euro's, or yen? He should be jailed for life.
The poor child, I wonder how he's doing? And his parents!! What an amazing Christmas present.
I hope he gets the help he most certaiinly will need to recover from this one.
GG

[mrsmcgoo]

"Bond for Mitchell was set at $63,000." That's way too low for this animal taking a baby boy from his home and keeping him for 11 years. God knows what he did to this child.

from another article:

As it turned out he was still living in Arizona and had moved in with his parents in Peoria with the boy, less than 20 miles from the home he lived in 11 years ago. Mitchell was picked up by authorities at the house on Thursday and the now 12-year-old boy was placed in Child Protective Services.

http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=30043&cat=0

Why isn't he with his mum? :(


I'm happy this boy was located, but I am wondering the same thing, why isn't he with his Mom? :(

[LiveLaughLuv]

I just love stories with these endings.

You know I watched a lifetime movie that this reminds me of. The mom finally finds her son after amny years of him being kidnapped. They have more kids now and the son that is found really wants no part of the family. He wants to stay with the original family that kidnapped him.


Well, that's all he knows, that's his family, in his eyes.

I can't imagine the feeling of loosing him twice. Heartwrenching.:1187603408.CR.Mothe

[Dotcomrade]

"Bond for Mitchell was set at $63,000." That's way too low for this animal taking a baby boy from his home and keeping him for 11 years. God knows what he did to this child.

from another article:

As it turned out he was still living in Arizona and had moved in with his parents in Peoria with the boy, less than 20 miles from the home he lived in 11 years ago. Mitchell was picked up by authorities at the house on Thursday and the now 12-year-old boy was placed in Child Protective Services.

http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=30043&cat=0

Why isn't he with his mum? :( Hi 4thekids, I think this young boy will need to get to know his mom before being reunited. Under these circumstances, i would expect a full reunion after much councelling. Heres to a happy ending :1222423:

[Xainia]

Hi 4thekids, I think this young boy will need to get to know his mom before being reunited. Under these circumstances, i would expect a full reunion after much councelling. Heres to a happy ending :1222423:

I agree. He was only 9mths old when taken. His mother is a complete stranger.

The childs welfare must come first.

Hopefully things will work out and both mother and son can build a relationship.

[4thekids]

Hi 4thekids, I think this young boy will need to get to know his mom before being reunited. Under these circumstances, i would expect a full reunion after much councelling. Heres to a happy ending :1222423:

I sincerely hope so Dot. Praying for a happy ending too. :innocent0001:

[Dotcomrade]

I agree. He was only 9mths old when taken. His mother is a complete stranger.

The childs welfare must come first.

Hopefully things will work out and both mother and son can build a relationship. That's what i find so sad Xainia.
I can't imagne what's running through this young boys mind. I'd like to know how Mitchell evaded LE for so long. :eyebrow1qb:

[Dotcomrade]

I sincerely hope so Dot. Praying for a happy ending too. :innocent0001:
:yes2:

[dojewo]

I wonder if the child actually thought the man that kidnapped him was his father and had no idea he was kidnapped? It would be very hard for a boy his age to be told that he now will be living with people he doesn't know and this is his family. I hope everything works out ok.

[Heidi J.]

Hi 4thekids, I think this young boy will need to get to know his mom before being reunited. Under these circumstances, i would expect a full reunion after much councelling. Heres to a happy ending :1222423:

I think you are right.

[awakening2lite]

PHOENIX -- <snip>
In July 1997, a federal warrant was issued for Mitchell's arrest, and the FBI began investigating the case.


On Thursday, more than 10 years after the arrest warrants were issued, the FBI said it located Mitchell and the child at Mitchell's parents' home near 51st Avenue and Union Hills Drive in Peoria.

<snip>

http://www.kpho.com/news/14803662/detail.html

So glad to know the child has been found and kudos to the FBI for sticking with the case to this conclusion!!!!!!

:s1gyahoo: