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CNN Live Today
DNA Testing Underway in Found Boy Case
Aired April 29, 2003 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Results of DNA tests could provide an answer to a family's prayers. The tests will determine whether a boy in state custody in Illinois right now is Tristen "Buddy" Myers, who has been missing from his North Carolina home for more than two years.
CLTV's Jim Wagner joins us now live from Evanston, Illinois with details on this case -- Jim, what's the story there?
JIM WAGNER, CLTV CORRESPONDENT: Well, Leon, some new information at this hour. Everyone involved in this case very optimistic right now about what has happened, but it looks like it's going to be quite some time before official verification can be made, and of course, that is going to come with this DNA testing, which, we are told, is indeed underway right now. Here's some new information we can tell you about, though. About three months ago on February 3, a man came here to St. Francis hospital in Evanston complaining about his child's aggressive behavior.
As hospital officials examined the boy, they noticed he was very dirty and appeared to have not been given a bath in quite some time. When they asked the father about this, they say he became agitated himself and demanded the boy be given back immediately, so hospital officials called the police. The police came, we are told. Apparently picked the man up, brought him in, but released him, and he hasn't been seen since.
Now, the boy was awarded to the DCFS here two days later, and they investigated for weeks to no avail. Finally, they handed it over, we are told, to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and they immediately discovered the boy might be Tristen "Buddy" Myers, missing, of course, from his home in North Carolina since October 2000.
Now, he apparently wandered off, according to family members, with their two pet dogs and never came back. Of course, the family members now pretty much on pins and needles all day until they get official verification that it's actually him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONNA MYERS, AUNT OF MISSING BOY: There's just so many things that point to that it's him that we're just praying it is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WAGNER: Well, to get that official verification, of course, DNA testing is underway, Leon. We're told the mom has sent a DNA sample from North Carolina here to Chicago, and that that DNA testing is underway. We're also told that usually takes about four to six weeks in a situation like this, but again, we're also told, Leon, that North Carolina authorities are also looking to put a rush on these tests. So maybe up to another week or so before we find out if it's really him. But if you look at everything that the family's saying, those similarities that people are talking about. The scar on the neck, as I heard you talking to the aunt a little while ago, and the speech impediment, sure looks pretty good at this point.
HARRIS: And the family is pretty convinced that this is the boy. In the meantime, Jim, real quickly, do you know anything at all of whether or not they've gotten any leads whatsoever on this man who dropped the boy off?
WAGNER: That's one of the $64,000 questions we're trying to answer here in Chicago today, Leon. We're expecting a statement from the hospital here, St. Francis hospital in Evanston just north of Chicago here any minute. And Evanston police originally had this case. We've got calls in to them. They're expected to make a statement here within the hour -- Leon.
HARRIS: Thanks, Jim. Jim Wagner of CLTV in Chicago. Some troubling angles on that story, but also some very big positive ones as well.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired April 29, 2003 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Results of DNA tests could provide an answer to a family's prayers. The tests will determine whether a boy in state custody in Illinois right now is Tristen "Buddy" Myers, who has been missing from his North Carolina home for more than two years.
CLTV's Jim Wagner joins us now live from Evanston, Illinois with details on this case -- Jim, what's the story there?
JIM WAGNER, CLTV CORRESPONDENT: Well, Leon, some new information at this hour. Everyone involved in this case very optimistic right now about what has happened, but it looks like it's going to be quite some time before official verification can be made, and of course, that is going to come with this DNA testing, which, we are told, is indeed underway right now. Here's some new information we can tell you about, though. About three months ago on February 3, a man came here to St. Francis hospital in Evanston complaining about his child's aggressive behavior.
As hospital officials examined the boy, they noticed he was very dirty and appeared to have not been given a bath in quite some time. When they asked the father about this, they say he became agitated himself and demanded the boy be given back immediately, so hospital officials called the police. The police came, we are told. Apparently picked the man up, brought him in, but released him, and he hasn't been seen since.
Now, the boy was awarded to the DCFS here two days later, and they investigated for weeks to no avail. Finally, they handed it over, we are told, to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and they immediately discovered the boy might be Tristen "Buddy" Myers, missing, of course, from his home in North Carolina since October 2000.
Now, he apparently wandered off, according to family members, with their two pet dogs and never came back. Of course, the family members now pretty much on pins and needles all day until they get official verification that it's actually him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONNA MYERS, AUNT OF MISSING BOY: There's just so many things that point to that it's him that we're just praying it is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WAGNER: Well, to get that official verification, of course, DNA testing is underway, Leon. We're told the mom has sent a DNA sample from North Carolina here to Chicago, and that that DNA testing is underway. We're also told that usually takes about four to six weeks in a situation like this, but again, we're also told, Leon, that North Carolina authorities are also looking to put a rush on these tests. So maybe up to another week or so before we find out if it's really him. But if you look at everything that the family's saying, those similarities that people are talking about. The scar on the neck, as I heard you talking to the aunt a little while ago, and the speech impediment, sure looks pretty good at this point.
HARRIS: And the family is pretty convinced that this is the boy. In the meantime, Jim, real quickly, do you know anything at all of whether or not they've gotten any leads whatsoever on this man who dropped the boy off?
WAGNER: That's one of the $64,000 questions we're trying to answer here in Chicago today, Leon. We're expecting a statement from the hospital here, St. Francis hospital in Evanston just north of Chicago here any minute. And Evanston police originally had this case. We've got calls in to them. They're expected to make a statement here within the hour -- Leon.
HARRIS: Thanks, Jim. Jim Wagner of CLTV in Chicago. Some troubling angles on that story, but also some very big positive ones as well.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
