Print
Apr 30, 2008 11:20 pm US/Eastern
Wanted Mom Turns Herself In With Infant
Amber Alert Cancelled; Father Still At Large
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
-
-
An Amber Alert was issued for 6-month-old Lucas Whalen, who was believed to be in danger.
WBZ
-
-
Lucas was taken by his parents, Michael Whalen and Danielle Boyle.
WBZ
The search for a 6-month-old boy believed to be in serious danger ended when his mother turned herself into police with the child Wednesday night.
The search for Lucas Whalen sparked an Amber Alert to be issued after his parents, Michael Whalen and Danielle Boyle, failed to turn the infant over to state custody and took off with him.
After a few hours of the Amber Alert flashing over Massachusetts highways and television stations, Danielle Boyle pulled up to the Arlington Police Department parking lot in a cab with 6-month-old Lucas and turned herself over to police.
Police were able to get in contact with Boyle by cell phone via a third party earlier in the evening, said Arlington police Chief Frederick Ryan. Ryan said Boyle was aware that an Amber Alert had been issued for her child.
At some point police during that time, police narrowed the fugitives' location down to the Burlington Mall area where Boyle put herself and Lucas into a cab and went to the police department.
It's unclear if Boyle will be charged in the alleged kidnapping.
Police said they were happy to report the baby appears to be fine though he was taken to an area hospital to be checked out.
Michael Whalen is still at large. He may be traveling in a stolen dark grey rental 2007 Ford 500 with Massachusetts license plate No. 49RF83.
Lucas was believed to be in danger of serious physical injury after his father threatened him, police said.
State Trooper Eric Benson said Michael Whalen and Boyle fled with the child Wednesday after losing legal custody of him on Tuesday. Benson said police had reason to believe Lucas was in danger based on statements and threats made by Michael Whalen.
Police said Lucas was supposed to be placed in the custody of Boyle's sister but the couple took off with him.
It's unknown why they lost custody of the boy. Family members told WBZ Boyle's two other children have been placed in the custody of the Department of Social Services over the last couple years.
Wednesday's search for the family expanded into New Hampshire by Wednesday evening, police said. Wednesday's alert was the 12th time the state has issed an Amber Alert since the system went into effect six years ago. In every case, the child has been found safe.
Michael Whalen is described as a 42-year-old white man, 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighing about 180 pounds with dirty blonde hair. He has blue eyes and tattoos.
Anyone with information about Michael Whalen's whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Arlington Police Department at 781.643.1212.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
