Aug 19, 2008 5:09 pm US/Eastern
Mom Pleads For 5-Year-Old's Safe Return
LYNN (WBZ) ―
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Giovanni is pictured here with his father, Ernesto Gonzalez.
WBZ
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Giovanni Gonzalez, 5, was last seen in the area of 2 Brightwood Terrace around 4 p.m. on Aug. 15.
WBZ
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Giovanni's mother, Daisy Colon
WBZ
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.
Prosecutors say 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 Gonzalez, 36, has been uncooperative. He was charged with child endangerment. He's being held on $500,000 bail after pleading not guilty in court Monday.
Police released a new photograph of Giovanni and Ernesto Gonzalez late Tuesday afternoon. They hope someone will remember seeing the duo together between Aug. 15 and Sunday evening, Aug. 18.
Court documents obtained on Tuesday indicate that Gonzalez has faced assault and battery charges in the past. He has been arrested three times -- most recently in 2001, when he allegedly beat his girlfriend and then pulled a knife on police.
Tracey Contreras, talked about her cousin, Gonzalez, after learning of his arrest. "He's a good guy. He does have previous children from other women, and nothing like this ever went down… This is just out of the blue. Everyone has their problems. We never thought it would come to this… (Giovanni) was an awesome little boy… very lovable."
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.
According to Giovanni's mom, Gonzalez wanted nothing to do with his son until recently. She tells WBZ's Sera Congi the two have been spending weekends together without any problems for the past couple of weeks.
Colon used the news cameras on Tuesday to send a message to her son.
"The only thing I have to say is Giovanni, I miss you, I want you home as soon as you can. Just dial 911, of just run out so somebody can see you, honey. And I really, really, really miss you honey."
Giovanni is 4-feet-1 and weighs 40 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing jeans, a red shirt and "Spider Man" sandals. He was carrying a "Transformers" backpack.
He has a faded skin pigmentation mark on the lower right side of his chest and a small scar above his eyebrow.
It is not unusual for police to issue an Amber Alert when there is a missing child, but officials have not done so for Giovanni.
There are three requirements needed for an Amber Alert to be issued. In this case, there are two that have not been met. There is no description of the vehicle they are looking for, and they don't have a description of the person they believe took him.
Anyone with information is asked to call Lynn police at 781.595.2000.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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