Father of missing son is hoping to meet him after 19 years

KENDALLVILLE, Ind. (WANE) - The father of the missing LaGrange County boy who was found 19 years later is speaking out. Richard Wayne Landers Senior now hopes to be reunited with his son.

He said pictures, memories and faith kept his hopes up that one day he would find his son alive.

"Seeing my son's pictures on the wall, kept it fresh in my mind. And, I never lost hope," he said.

Landers Sr.'s parents took Landers Junior back in 1994 because they didn't want the courts to grant custody to Landers Jr.'s mother. After taking him, the grandparents and Landers Jr. moved to Minnesota.

Police finally found Landers Jr. last September after getting his social security number from his stepfather. Through the investigation, Landers Sr. knew his parents took his son, but he didn't know where they were. At first he was angry, but after so many years, he's become merciful.

"About a year after they left, I was able to forgive them because I knew my son would be taken care of," said Landers Sr.

Landers Sr. said he wanted to set the record straight that he's never been a dead beat dad. He's heard and seen reports of him being an absentee father. He said he is a father that's been stripped the opportunity to raise his only son.

On the other hand, the son went to Facebook Friday and said his grandparents were right in taking him.