Photo: Camden County Sheriff’s Office
A Missouri family is celebrating the safe return of their son after his biological mother and her boyfriend allegedly kidnapped him and kept him hidden for five months, PEOPLE confirms.
Braedence had been missing since Aug. 3, after Ferguson did not return him to his father Ryan Jones, who had custody, after a weeklong visit, Fox2 reports. Police say that when Jones went to pick up his son from the visit, Braedence, Ferguson and Ziegler were nowhere to be found.
Worried, Jones went to the house next door, where Ferguson’s parents lived, but it too was empty.
Woodrow Ziegler; Aubrey Ferguson.Camden County Sheriff’s Office
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On Jan. 8, the U.S. Marshals and state troopers received a tip that led authorities to a home in Laclede County, where the three were found, the news release states.
Ferguson was with her son in the crawl space when they were found, according to police, KSDK reports.
“The boyfriend had already nailed the crawl space shut and covered it with either a carpet or some place of cloth and had moved furniture and other items in front of it to block it,” Lt. Arlyne Page with the Camden County Sheriff’s Department told Fox2.
Braedence was returned home to his father and stepmother, Bre Dominguez.
“The first thing we did was give him a big hug and tell him we love him,” Jones said, according to Fox2.
The boy hadn’t been able to open his Christmas presents, the couple told the station, and was dirty when he was found.
“He mentioned that he hasn’t had a bath. He had dirt caked on him,” Dominguez told Fox2.
While missing, Braedence did not attend school. He went back to school the week after he returned, the couple said.
Ferguson is being held on a child abduction charge. Ziegler is being held on a Laclede County warrant of hindering prosecution. Prosecutors say additional charges may follow in both Camden and Laclede County.
As the couple awaits trial, Braedence’s family told Fox2 they’re focusing on their son and celebrating his safe return.
“[It was] one of the happiest days we’ve ever had,” Dominguez said.
Ferguson is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 13. Prosecutors told Fox2 anyone who assisted in keeping Braedence hidden could face charges. It is unclear whether Ferguson or Ziegler have attorneys. They have not entered pleas.
source: people.com
