Lowell cops, FBI catch dad accused of kidnapping boy
LOWELL — A Lawrence man wanted for the parental kidnapping of his 14-month-old son has been captured in Mexico City, while the missing child is now safe and back home, police said.
A photo released by the Lowell Police Department showed the Lowell boy — missing for more than a month — and his mother shortly after they were reunited at Logan International Airport on Sunday night.
“This is a great job done by all to bring this kid home,” said Lowell Deputy Police Superintendent Kelly Richardson. “It could have been a whole different outcome.”
Lowell police and the FBI worked to locate the boy, who was previously seen with his father on Jan. 9.
The father, 37-year-old Filemom De Lima, is being held at a Mexican immigration detention center pending disposition of his status, according to a release from the Lowell Police Department.
Investigators tracked De Lima across the U.S. by monitoring his credit card transactions, Richardson said. He was allegedly traced to Ohio and California before heading to Mexico. From there, De Lima’s plan was to travel to Brazil, according to Richardson. However, Mexican authorities captured De Lima and the young boy.
“We brought him home,” Richardson said. “It’s just great teamwork.”