Oakland, California (AP) — Luis Armando Albino was 6 years previous in 1951 when he was abducted whereas taking part in at an Oakland, California, park. Now, greater than seven many years later, Albino has been found thanks to assist from a web-based ancestry take a look at, previous photographs and newspaper clippings.
The Bay Area News Group reported Friday that Albino’s niece in Oakland — with help from police, the FBI and the Justice Department — situated her uncle residing on the East Coast.
Albino, a father and grandfather, is a retired firefighter and Marine Corps veteran who served in (*70*), in response to his niece, 63-year-old Alida Alequin. She found Albino and reunited him together with his California household in June.
On February 21, 1951, a lady lured the 6-year-old Albino from the West Oakland park the place he had been taking part in together with his older brother and promised the Puerto Rico-born boy in Spanish that she would purchase him sweet.
Instead, the girl kidnapped the kid, flying him to the East Coast the place he ended up with a pair who raised him as if he have been their very own son, the information group reported. Officials and members of the family didn’t say the place on the East Coast he lives.
For greater than 70 years Albino remained lacking, however he was all the time within the hearts of his household and his picture hung at family’ homes, his niece mentioned. His mom died in 2005 however by no means gave up hope that her son was alive.
Oakland police acknowledged that Alequin’s efforts “played an integral role in finding her uncle” and that “the outcome of this story is what we strive for.”
In an interview with the information group, she mentioned her uncle “hugged me and said, ‘Thank you for finding me’ and gave me a kiss on the cheek.”
Oakland Tribune articles from the time reported police, troopers from a neighborhood military base, the Coast Guard and different metropolis staff joined a large seek for the lacking boy. San Francisco Bay and different waterways have been additionally searched, in response to the articles. His brother, Roger Albino, was interrogated a number of occasions by investigators however stood by his story a few girl with a bandana round her head taking his brother.
The first notion that her uncle is likely to be nonetheless alive got here in 2020 when, “just for fun,” Alequin mentioned, she took a web-based DNA take a look at. It confirmed a 22 p.c match with a person who finally turned out to be her uncle. An extra search at the time yielded no solutions or any response from him, she mentioned.
In early 2024, she and her daughters started looking once more. On a go to to the Oakland Public Library, she appeared at microfilm of Tribune articles — together with one which had an image of Luis and Roger — which satisfied her that she was heading in the right direction. She went to the Oakland police the identical day.
Investigators finally agreed the brand new lead was substantial, and a brand new lacking individuals case was opened. Oakland police mentioned final week that the lacking individuals case is closed, however they and the FBI think about the kidnapping a still-open investigation.
Luis was situated on the East Coast and offered a DNA pattern, as did his sister, Alequin’s mother.
On June 20, investigators went to her mom’s house, Alequin mentioned, and advised them each that her uncle had been found.
“We didn’t start crying until after the investigators left,” Alequin mentioned. “I grabbed my mom’s hands and said, ‘We found him.’ I was ecstatic.”
On June 24, with the help of the FBI, Luis got here to Oakland with members of his household and met with Alequin, her mom and different family. The subsequent day Alequin drove her mom and her newfound uncle to Roger’s house in Stanislaus County, California.
“They grabbed each other and had a really tight, long hug. They sat down and just talked,” she mentioned, discussing the day of the kidnapping, their army service and extra.
Luis returned to the East Coast however got here again once more in July for a three-week go to. It was the final time he noticed Roger, who died in August.
Alequin mentioned her uncle didn't wish to discuss to the media.
“I was always determined to find him, and who knows, with my story out there, it could help other families going through the same thing,” Alequin mentioned. “I would say, don’t give up.”
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