Supporting Grandparents
“For you people who jump to conclusions, you should find out the whole story. I was where I needed to be. My ‘grandparents’ were in the right, I don’t care what anyone else thinks,’” said Michael in an interview. So, did he ever meet his parents?
Unknown Parents
“I don’t know him like everyone else knows their son, but that don’t stop the love. I have to forgive them. My faith won’t let me do anything else,” explained Michael, who said it will be a time-taking process to get used to the fact that his parents love him and they want him back.
Tough Times
Lisa and Richard Sr. also understand that it was no one’s fault. “Times were tough and [Michael and his wife] needed to straighten out their lives, so they gave guardianship of their son for a year to [the boy’s grandparents], Richard E. and Ruth Landers. They knew even if I got custody, that he would have to spend time around her. But why didn’t they get us parenting classes or offer to take us in and help us out instead of just running and hiding?” he questioned.
Just A Hint
Lisa and Richard Sr. later made a revelation that the grandparents did leave a hint that they will be taking Michael away. As per him, they “dropped a hint about their plan shortly before they disappeared,” Richard further added that the old couple even made a videotape of the 5-year-old and said, “he’d always know who I was. It didn’t strike me then. It didn’t hit me until after they left what they were actually doing or planning.”
Knowing From The Beginning
“There was no indication that the child was in any danger. He was with grandma and grandpa,” told Richard Sr. who never revealed all this information when he went missing in the first place.
Cop’s Regret
Officer Boyd regretted not asking for the kid’s SSN before, he said, “I just wish we had done it years ago when he was a small child, but it sounds like he was raised and life was all right for him. Any time these things end and you find out they’re alive and well, I think it’s a great thing. … But a lot of years were lost for the family here that wanted to be a part of his life and couldn’t be.”