Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Mother pleads for safe return of missing 5-year-old son
LYNN, Mass. -- Lynn police are searching for a 5-year-old boy who went missing over the weekend while in the care of his father, who is now facing charges.
His mother has offered a plea for his safe return
Prosecutors say 5-year-old Giovanni Gonzalez was dropped off at the Lynn home of his father, Ernesto Gonzalez, on Friday. When the boy's mother, Daisy Colon, went to pick him up on Sunday, the father said their son wasn't with him.
Police say the 36-year-old Gonzalez has been uncooperative and charged him with child endangerment. He was held on $500,000 bail after pleading not guilty in court Monday.
Prosecutors say they are concerned for the boy's safety because the father has refused to explain how he suffered a cut on his hand.
Giovanni is 4-feet-2 and weighs 40 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing jeans, a red shirt and "Spiderman" sandals and carrying "Transformers" backpack.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)