Mother Reunites With Son 31 Years After He Was Kidnapped By His Father: 'Mommy, You Have My Eyes'

Dec 10, 2021 by apost team

In 2018, Lyneth Mann-Lewis was reunited with her son 31 years after he was kidnapped by his father. Mann-Lewis’ son was only 21-months-old when he was taken during a court-ordered visit with his dad. Allan Mann, the boy’s dad was caught in Vernon, Connecticut, after fleeing from Toronto, Canada. He had been living under the alias Hailee Randolph DeSouza.

During a mandatory visit in 1987, Mann took his son and fled the country. He found fake identities and social security numbers for the two of them and they started a new life. When his son, Jermaine, asked his father what happened to his mother he said that she had died shortly after his birth. Jermaine grew up without knowing he had a mother that was desperately looking for him. 

The authorities were able to find Mann and his son after receiving 200 tips from people in the U.S. and Toronto claiming to know their whereabouts. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that they arrested the father after discovering that he was using a fake birth certificate to apply for subsidized housing. Jermaine was not even 2-years-old when he was taken and was 33 by the time he finally returned to his mother. 

Mann-Lewis says that she hopes her story will inspire parents of missing kids to never give up and know that good things can still happen. After being charged for his crimes and serving 18-months in jail, Mann was extradited back to Canada. Keep reading to learn more about this story. 

After decades of suffering and worrying about her son’s wellbeing, Mann-Lewis finally heard the news she was so desperately hoping for. "The words 'Your son is alive, we've found him' -- that is breathtaking," Mann-Lewis said. "I said, 'Oh my God, my baby.' He said, 'Mommy, you have my eyes.' He hugged me and he kissed me and we held for a long time."

Finding Jermaine took a coordinated effort from U.S. and Toronto officials. Christina Scaringi, of the Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General, said in a statement: "This is one of those rare cases that tugs at your heartstrings. Not only did we, working collectively, get this alleged bad actor off the street, but we played a role in reuniting an unjustly separated family."

The mother also thanked the Missing Children Society of Canada and officials in the U.S. She said she had "endured many hard days" over the years, but now the healing can begin for this family. Even after 31 years, Mann-Lewis never lost hope that she would see her son again. 

Now that he is back, she wants to encourage other families going through the same trauma to hang on. Mann-Lewis shared:

"I want to encourage other families with missing children and loved ones not to ever, ever give up hope on finding them. I am the proof that after 31 long years of suffering, 31 long years, one should never give up. But be patient. Be strong and believe that all things are possible and that anything can transpire."

apost.com

Does your heart go out to this mother? Do you know anyone who has gone through something similar? Let us know and feel free to pass this along to your friends and family that could use some good news.