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New Day

Mystery Girl Found In Greece; Interview with Marc Klaas; CNN Poll: What Americans Think Of GOP; Florida Inmates Takedown; Emotional Plea From Foster Teen; Stranded 14 Hours At Sea; "Gravity" Unstoppable?; Buzz For "12 Years Of Slave"

Aired October 21, 2013 - 07:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): -- DNA tests later confirm the investigator's suspicions.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They were in bad conditions, poor hygiene and so the girl was harmed, in a state of neglect both physically and psychologically.

MCLAUGHLIN: The man and woman were arrested on suspicion of abducting a minor and the campsite is now under investigation. The couple's lawyer denies the charges.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our client's claim is we never abduct this child. We just adopted and with a way, non-legal arrest that's where we can confess.

MCLAUGHLIN: Police launched a public appeal and have asked Interpol to help locate her real parents. When Maria's story broke, it reminded many of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Portugal six years ago. No trace of her has ever been found.

STEVE MOORE, RETIRED FBI SPECIAL AGENT: I hoped something like this would give the McCann's enough hope and encouragement that they renew their strength for the fight.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCLAUGHLIN: Now the lawyer for this couple says that a Bulgarian woman gave them Maria because she could not care for her. But police say this couple has changed their story many times -- Kate.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Erin, thank you so much for that. Joining me now to talk more about this from San Francisco is Marc Klaas. He founded Klaas Kid Foundation after his daughter, Polly, was kidnapped and killed back in 1993. Marc, it's great to see you. Thank you so much for coming in this morning.

MARC KLAAS, FATHER OF POLLY KLAAS: Thanks for having me. I appreciate it.

BOLDUAN: Of course. This is every case is unique, obviously, to the situation. They say they are going to work very diligently to get to the bottom of this mystery surrounding this little girl in Greece. But it has sparked speculation that she is a victim of child trafficking, child exploitation in Europe. How serious is the threat both abroad as well as here at home of that?

KLAAS: Well, a child, human trafficking is considered the second or third largest criminal enterprise in the world. Now in Europe in the latest data they have, in 2010, 5,355 victims of human trafficking were identified and 17 percent of those were girls. So it is a very real possibility. There is no question about that.

BOLDUAN: Do law enforcement not have the tools or is it just difficult -- are these difficult cases to crack? Why is it such a problem? Why can't they get more of a hand him on it, do you think? What do they need to do more?

KLAAS: Well, it's really only been identified in recent years as large a problem as it is. So I think authorities all around the world are doing everything that they can to wrap their arms around the issue as it really exists. For instance in the United States, it's only been a legislative priority since the year 2000. We have only identified it as being a real domestic priority within I'd say in the last five years.

So it's a matter of finding out, you know, exactly who are these criminals? What are these rings? What are the purposes of the human trafficking? Unfortunately, it's usual sexual exploitation although it certainly doesn't seem to be so in this case.

BOLDUAN: So Mark, let's talk about the impact on families here. How to report this is one child will hopefully they will get to the bottom of who her parents are and what the situation is there, but do reports of, you know, when a child is recovered, how does that affect the parents and the families of other children who are still missing? Who are still searching for their child?

KLAAS: It's huge. There is no question about that. I think every parent of a missing child in the world that's paying attention to this case has renewed hope that their own child can be recovered. I have read many anecdotal incidents of people saying, well, gosh, that is not my child, but that tells me that my child may very well be out there.

BOLDUAN: And a huge part of any one of these cases, any missing child case is the community. This is always a learning opportunity for the community and a reminder for folks, what do people need to lock out for, because it's the tips that are coming in. They say some 1,800 calls have come in from around the world to try to help reunite this child with her parents. How important is the community and what does the community need to lock out for in this situation?

KLAAS: Well, the community is everything. I mean, we're the eyes and ears for law enforcement. It's been in the last several weeks since the re-investigation of the Madeleine McCann case that people have really been talking about child sex trafficking or child trafficking adoption trafficking even in the world. So I mean, this is just another added layer on this. People have to understand that we need to participate. We need to get involved.

If we see something suspicious, we need to report that to law enforcement so that they can get to the bottom of anything, such as in this case, obviously the little girl did not look anything like the parents. It turned out, in fact, that she wasn't and it turns out that these people are obviously hiding something or they would have come through with the truth.

BOLDUAN: Now one situation, it can't be emphasized enough how important role of the community in all of these situations, but one child hopefully will be reunited with her parents and hopefully bring some hope to many other families who are missing their children today. Marc, thank you so much.

KLAAS: Thank you.

BOLDUAN: Of course, we will continue to follow this story. Let's go straight over to Michaela with the latest headlines.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Kate, thanks so much. A new CNN/ORC poll finds a majority of Americans think GOP control of the House of Representatives is a bad thing for the country, 54 percent believed that compared with 38 percent of those surveyed saying it's a good thing. But Republicans may catch a break today. The president is set to admit mistakes have been made with Obamacare.

New cell phone video capturing the moment U.S. Marshals stormed a motel room where the two escaped Florida inmates have been holed up. Charles Walker and Joseph Jenkins were unarmed when they were taken into custody Saturday night in Panama City. The two were being held without bail and are set to make an appearance in court on Friday.

United Airlines passengers aboard a New York to Dublin flight were injured when the plane they were in hit severe turbulence during its decent. Irish media is reporting the 757 landed safely Sunday, but was met by medical personnel on the runway. United Airlines says one person was taken to the hospital, but has since been discharged. Seven others were reportedly suffered minor injuries.

More outrage aimed at the Boy Scout leader filmed knocking over an ancient rock in Utah. Affiliate KTVX revealing Scout Leader Glenn Taylor filed a personal injury lawsuit just a few weeks before that rock stunt, saying he endured pain and suffering, disability impairment, even a loss of joy of life after a 2009 car crash.

We want to give you an update now on a remarkable teen who captured the hearts of millions. He's a 15-year-old boy who made national headlines because of the simple, but powerful request he made when he stood up in church.

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PEREIRA (voice-over): This courageous teenager has become a national sensation after making a heartfelt plea at a St. Petersburg Church. My name is Davion Only and I have been in foster care since I was born, he said, I know God hasn't given up on me, so I'm not giving up either. The orphaned 15-year-old who has spent his entire life in foster care asked for something that so many of us take for granted, a family.

Davion's mother gave birth to him while she was in jail. He has drifted in and out of foster homes ever since. This simple request has tugged on heart strings both online and on TV.

LEIGH ANNE TOUHY, ACCEPTED FAMILY OF MICHAEL OHER: It's ridiculous. I mean, we need to step up and do the right thing. Invest in our children. They are our future. This kid just wants to be loved.

PEREIRA: Leigh Anne Touhy speaks from experience. She's the mother whose real life story of adoption was turned into the Oscar-winning movie "The Blind Side."

TOUHY: How do we know if someone doesn't offer Davion hope and love and opportunity that he would not become the next greatest teacher or airplane pilot or police officer? All this young man needs is a chance.

PEREIRA: And he's not the only one. Some 400,000 children across the United States live in foster care. Davion's story is raising awareness for other foster kids just like him. As for Davion himself, his dream might just come true. So far, over 10,000 people have reached out asking if they might be the family he so desperately wants.

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PEREIRA: Now according to the Heart Gallery, the agency involved in Davion's adoption, there have been 5,000 inquiries by e-mail, another 5,000 by phone. Of course, each inquiry will have to be reviewed and vetted, which could take up to six months. But Davion says a family that will love him forever is more than worth the wait.

I want to point out one last thing. Apparently, there is a case worker that has been assigned to him. He had a chance to meet some of his actual families, but they are not in a position where they can take him, but they told him he was loved. He walked away from that encounter, a changed kid and that's when things turned around for him because he said he never felt loved before. That's something to think about.

BOLDUAN: And already, what already he's a success. How could he not already be a success?

PEREIRA: He stood up and said this is what I need.

BOLDUAN: A strength of character for someone who hasn't had someone along the way is truly amazing.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Right. That said. We do want to give a nod to the foster families out there. They provide a lot of love, but there is something to be said for permanency.

PEREIRA: Permanent homes are important absolutely. CUOMO: This is really a great story to keep out there.

PEREIRA: Yes, we're going to keep watching for sure.

CUOMO: Please, please. We are going to take a break here. When we come back, no life vests, no radio, no way out. Two fishermen find themselves clinging to a capsized boat in rough seas. What do you think? How long do you think you can make it? They endured 14 hours and survived. We'll tell you how.

BOLDUAN: And the president set to address the problems plaguing Obamacare. Can he get the web site back on track?

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CUOMO: Simple mind singing about the seasons for Indra Petersons don't forget that we exist. This is one of the beautiful things I wanted you to see. It's happening, fall foliage all around you, this beautiful colorful splendor of autumn.

BOLDUAN: You are getting emotional.

CUOMO: It must be the antihistamines, the leaves are beautiful?

INDRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It's awesome out there. Michaela actually sent me a picture. You can actually tell the leaves are just starting to change. It looks like a beautiful, clear day. Keep in mind, though, we are feeling the change out there, the temperatures in New York City already about 10 degrees cooler this week. We saw a few winds kicking up. They're about to get a lot cooler, thanks, to something you are already feeling today.

I mean, look at the currents right now. Philly 47, but even some 30s are out there. We have this chunk of arctic air really making its way in. Today, your highs if you are in Minneapolis, they are only in the 30s. Chicago today, your highs only in the 40s and this is well below normal even for you, 15 to 20 degrees below normal. St. Louis today is looking about 55 degrees.

All those cold air is eventually going to spread east. What's going on? We have a series of cold fronts making their way through the country, one, two, three and really if you add in last week is actually more like two, three, four. The last one will be this cool arctic air that's coming in from Canada. It is an Alberta Clipper. That means Canada, air from Alberta that windy dry, though. We are not talking snow out of this. This system moves so fast.

You are really just talking about cool air and dry conditions. So yes, just a hint of snow maybe in the Dakotas, around the quad cities, even Chicago looking for a dusting out there. Over all story though for the northeast and mid-Atlantic, you will see that temperature change even more that we saw this weekend, coming to about Tuesday in through Wednesday.

So notice New York, Tuesday 65, by Wednesday it actually going to drop down to 53 degrees. So the changes here and yes, finally those leaves are starting to change, guys.

BOLDUAN: All right, Indra, thanks so much for that. So it was a chance rescue off the coast of Massachusetts. Two men spent 14 hours clinging to the side of their boat after it capsized in rough seas this weekend. No life vest, no radio to call for help. So what happened next?

CNN's Pamela Brown is here with more on this. Amazing story?

PAMELA BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, really incredible, Kate. A peaceful day at sea for two men turned into a scary overnight ordeal at a brutal lesson in survival. Today they are counting their blessings and say they are lucky to be alive.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BROWN (voice-over): It was supposed to be a leisurely day at sea for these two New Hampshire men, but not long after taking sail from Salem, Massachusetts en route to Boston, their trip took a terrifying turn. The men say a strong gust of wind caused their 25-foot homemade sailboat to capsize Friday, leaving them clinging for live to a wooden plank on top of their overturned boat.

GEORGE REYNOLDS, RESCUED FROM CAPSIZED BOAT: We know our best chance was to stay with the boat. Not to panic.

BROWN: Officials say the men had no radio to call for help and the one life jacket they had between them drifted away. As the hours passed in the dark of night, the two men turned to their faith.

FRED SCHAOFFER, RESCUED FROM CAPSIZED BOAT: We're praying together.

REYNOLDS: And then encouraging each other. Because we knew, I tell you what, that's a life and death struggle out there on the water.

BROWN: Their prayers were answered 14 hours later early Saturday morning when a fishing crew spotted their capsized boat tied to buoy only half a mile away from land and called for help.

EDDIE PEREIRA, CAPTAIN OF RESCUE BOAT: They were very cold. They were very thankful that we found them and that we took them in.

BROWN: The men were brought back to dry land safely, cold, wet, a little shaken up from their ordeal.

PEREIRA: I could not imagine being out here for 14 hours the way they were. They were very brave.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BROWN: Brave, indeed. The men refused medical attention once they made it back to land. Officials say this serves as an important reminder to wear a life jacket at all times and of course, have emergency equipment like a radio readily available. You can bet these men learned their lesson. It's interesting, they really were lucky in a lot of ways. The fact that it wasn't too cold, the weather conditions pretty moderate, the water is about 58 degree, and also the fact that they were on a busy waterway. Near a busy waterway when their boat capsized, lucky in a lot of ways.

BOLDUAN: Yes, you laid it out. They really were -- one life jacket between them. It floats away. I think there are a lot of lessons to be learned in that.

CUOMO: In the land of the unlucky, they were very lucky. If they were truly lucky, it would have never happened.

BROWN: That's true. Good point, Chris.

CUOMO: Thank you.

Coming up on NEW DAY, you want to see how U.S. Marshals took down those two escaped killers in Florida? Of course, you do. We have dramatic new cell phone video that captures the actual moment.

BOLDUAN: And the battle of the Box Office "Gravity" maintains its hold on the top spot. So what is making this flick so popular?

CUOMO: It actually happened. It's a documentary. Sandra Bullock is an astronaut.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: Welcome back to NEW DAY. It's Monday and that means it's time for the weekend Box Office buzz. "Gravity" once again taking the top spot earning $31 million. Nischelle, that is a whole lot of money.

NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Heck yes it is, and it's the third week in a row that "Gravity" has been number one at the Box Office. You know, it's only been done one other time so far this year and that's with "The Butler" and that happened back in August. It was number one for three weeks in a row as well.

But this movie has made $170 million in the U.S. already. A lot of that comes because it's seen in 3D, those tickets are more expensive. But for Sandra Bullock, this is a big feat for her because she's also I think Jessica Chastain did it once, but in my memory not many women have opened movies and been the lead of a movie, not like the co-star but the lead of a movie and been number one in the same year.

She's done it twice already now with "Gravity" and "The Heat." So it's a really good year for her. It says a lot and you guys haven't seen "Gravity" yet.

PEREIRA: It's on deck. I think we're going this week.

TURNER: It takes you on a ride, you may be a little nauseous, but it was such a good movie and there is a much bigger message than just the whole space movie. I know there's been this controversy over how real is it or what, but it's also about this woman's journey and how much you can take as a person before you just start to give up.

BOLDUAN: What do you think the big draw is to it?

TURNER: Well, I think that number one, people want to see the whole space odyssey and because it's in 3D and they want to figure out what's really going on. But I also think that the reviews have been so good because Sandra Bullock is just that good in this movie and she talks about how much of an emotional ride that she went and how spent she was emotionally after it. It really messed with her head a little bit she said. Since Apollo 13 we haven't really --

CUOMO: We don't love the space program the way we used to so I'm glad.

TURNER: So the other movie I want to talk to you guys about that did really well this weekend, opened very limited only in 16 theaters was "12 Years of Slave." We've talked about this a little bit. I know you saw it, Michaela.

PEREIRA: Saw it.

TURNER: First of all, this is the movie I think everyone should see. It's the true life story of Solomon Northrup, who was a freed man, and kidnapped and sold back into slavery in the 1850s. This -- he kept a memoir over years as a slave and so this is the publishing of his memoirs. Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Solomon Northrup and this move --

PEREIRA: Stunningly played it.

TURNER: -- gut wrenching, hard wrenching, sad, maddening, sickening, but it should be seen by everyone.

BOLDUAN: It's amazing how popular, it's really kind word of mouth because it has been on limited release and getting so much Oscar buzz.

TURNER: It's $50,000 per theater average. That's one of the highest ever.

PEREIRA: Can I say this, please look at me when I say it, this is not a black film. This is a film America needs to see. You need to see this because it shows that we humans are capable of horrifying atrocities and we have to be very careful we don't fall into those traps again. Not that specific one of slavery, but even still there's human trafficking.

TURNER: It's tough to see. Let's not pull any punches and I get it people don't want to see it.

CUOMO: It's not uncharacteristic harsh, right. You're not going to see things you haven't seen before. It's just very well done.

TURNER: Exactly, exactly. By the way, look out for Lupita Noyongo. She's fantastic. She plays a slave named Patsy in this film and she will get nomination --

CUOMO: Lupita Noyongo.

TURNER: Fantastic. BOLDUAN: Thanks, Nischelle.

CUOMO: I'm going to start practicing that name now. Appreciate it. Always good to have you, Nischelle.

We're going to take a quick little break here on NEW DAY, when we come back we are going to show you how the U.S. Marshals took down two escaped killers in Florida. We have the video of it that you'll get to see right here.

BOLDUAN: Also ahead the battle at the Box Office, we talked about it, "Gravity" big, big making big numbers. We have much more coming after the break.

CUOMO: Go see it!

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SENATOR TED CRUZ (R), TEXAS: Inflict a bunch of harm on the American people and hope we benefit from it, what a terrible, cynical approach.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: The aftermath, a new CNN poll shows Americans think Republican control of the House is a bad thing, but could the president's admission later today about Obamacare's mistakes mean the beginning of a comeback?

BOLDUAN: Fugitives caught, new cell phone video shows the moment police capture two escaped murderers after a massive manhunt. The question now, how did forged paperwork that set them free get past officials? Find out why more arrests could be on the way.

PEREIRA: Startling revelations, Dick Cheney opens up about his major battle with heart disease and how it affected his ability to lead. Dr. Sanjay Gupta will be here with details.

CUOMO: Your NEW DAY continues right now.

ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Chris Cuomo, Kate Bolduan and Michaela Pereira.

BOLDUAN: Good morning. Welcome back to NEW DAY, everyone. It is Monday, October 21st. It's 8:00 in the east. We have new CNN polls for you this morning showing more than half of Americans are saying the Republican controlled House is a bad thing in their view for the country and also this, the House speaker himself, John Boehner is taking a hit as well.