Boy Abducted in 1951 from California Park Found Alive on East Coast

Luis Armando Albino was only six years old when he disappeared while playing in a park in Oakland, California, in 1951. Now, over seventy years later, the long-lost boy has been found, largely due to the efforts of his family and modern ancestry testing.

As reported by the Bay Area News Group, Albino’s niece, Alida Alequin, took the initiative to locate her uncle with help from local police, the FBI, and the Justice Department. Through her determined search, Albino has been reunited with his family in California. He currently resides on the East Coast, where he has built a life as a retired firefighter and Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam.

Albino’s tragic story began on February 21, 1951, when a woman lured him away from West Oakland Park with the promise of candy. Instead of fulfilling her word, she abducted the young boy and took him to the East Coast, raising him as her own son.

For decades, Albino’s family held onto hope, keeping his image alive with photographs placed throughout their homes. His mother, who passed away in 2005, never stopped believing that her son was still alive. Her enduring hope came to fruition when Alequin took a DNA test in 2020, with the result revealing a 22 percent match to a man later identified as Albino.

Initially, her search yielded no immediate results or responses. However, in early 2024, her family resumed their efforts, leading her to the Oakland Public Library, where she researched old articles from the Oakland Tribune. One article featured a photo of both Luis and his brother, Roger, which reignited her determination to discover his whereabouts.

After turning to the Oakland police with her findings, investigators agreed to open a new missing persons case. Although the original case remained cold, officials ensured that Albino’s kidnapping would still be treated as an active investigation. Eventually, Albino was located on the East Coast, where he provided DNA samples to confirm his identity.

On June 20, Alequin and her mother received the life-changing news that Luis had been found. “In my heart, I knew it was him,” Alequin said, recalling the moment. Her joy was overwhelming, and she expressed her gratitude that their search had finally paid off.

On June 24, Albino traveled to Oakland with family support to meet Alequin and his relatives. Their initial meeting was filled with emotion. Alequin described how her uncle and her mother embraced tightly, reminiscing about the day of his kidnapping and sharing stories of their lives, including their military service.

After their initial reunion, Luis returned to his home on the East Coast but traveled back to California the following month for a three-week visit. Tragically, this would be the last time he saw his brother Roger, who passed away shortly after. Alequin reflected that Roger was at peace with the discovery of his brother, expressing her contentment in providing closure for him.

Although Luis prefers to keep a low profile and has not spoken to the media, he has some fragmented memories of his early experiences, specifically about his abduction. Alequin remains committed to her quest to share their story in hopes of inspiring families in similar predicaments to continue searching for their loved ones. She encourages others to persevere, stating, “I would say, don’t give up.”

This incredible reunion is a testament to the enduring love of family and the lengths relatives will go to in order to reconnect with those they’ve lost.

Source: Bay Area News Group