
HENDERSON, Nev. — A kidnapped 3-year-old autistic boy found in Henderson was unharmed and placed in the temporary custody of Clark County CPS.
Emmanuel Menz was placed in the foster care system in Florida approximately six months ago and was scheduled for a supervised visit on March 6 with his parents, Karl R. Menz, 50, and Virginia M. Lynch, 49, who did not have custodial rights.
The meeting took place at a Burger King and representatives from the Department of Children and Families were present.
Menz and Lynch took off with Emmanuel Menz and a nationwide alert was issued.
A tip led police to Emmanuel’s whereabouts in Henderson, Nev. and his parents were arrested on Thursday afternoon.
They were driving the same U-Haul that Crestview police reported as their getaway vehicle, but had removed the van’s decals.
While on the run, they reportedly stayed at a number of campsites.
Parental abductions, particularly for children that have been placed in the foster care system, is a serious matter since the child was taken away from their custodial parents because they were deemed unsuitable to properly care for their child.
Emmanuel was removed from his parent’s custody due to abuse allegations.
The case of Emmanual Menz was particularly disturbing since he is autistic and cannot communicate clearly.
Emmanuel will be transported back to the Crestview area and will be placed in a safe location, according to authorities.
His parents will be extradited back to Florida to face charges of Kidnapping A Minor by Interference With Custody