Child Missing for Eight Years Found

A Houston, Texas mom left her 8 month-old infant son with his godmother, Krystle Rochelle Tanner, who was babysitting for the night.  When she returned the next day, her child and Krystle were missing.  Krystle's parents claimed they did not know where either of them were.

That was eight years ago and just recently the child was found alive.  His mom, Auboni Champion-Morin will soon be reunited with Miguel.  She said she, her husband and the other kids have been praying for Miguel to return home safely.



In the summer of 2011, Tanner took Miguel to the hospital in San Augustine for a leg injury. She "couldn't" give them his social security number or his name. The hospital became suspicious and contacted child welfare officials.

At that time, Tanner told police several lies about why she had the child in her custody. He went by different names and she had been asked to keep him for an extended period of time for a woman that she had met in a park. Gary Cunningham , Chief Deputy of the Sheriff's Department in San Augustine, said she told investigators she did not know the women's last name and had only been given a cell phone to contact her but that the number had since been disconnected.

Child Protective Services and law enforcement in San Augustine were not aware of the kidnapping in Houston in 2004 because Miguel's information was removed from the national missing children database.  Cunningham said they are investigating why the case was closed after two years.

Krystle's relatives made unconfirmed claims that Champion-Morin asked Tanner to keep the baby indefinitely and may have had a written agreement. Police say this further complicated the investigation.

Krystle and her family were not estranged so it's difficult to believe they did not know where she was for eight years.  At least her sister finally did the responsible thing by telling police where he was in Texas.

This is a difficult time for the child, his siblings and parents.  They do not know each other and the child has grown up believing Krystle is his mother. Auboni said she will seek counseling for both of them, but the entire family will probably need counseling.

Peace