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Man Charged with Kidnapping Son, Taking him to South Pacific

HAZLETON — The father of a 9-year-old boy from Hazleton was charged Monday afternoon with international parental kidnapping. Jeffrey Hanson was charged in...

HAZLETON -- The father of a 9-year-old boy from Hazleton was charged Monday afternoon with international parental kidnapping.

Jeffrey Hanson was charged in Los Angeles with kidnapping his son Billy Hanson.

Members of the FBI said Billy Hanson lives with his mother in Hazleton. He was last seen visiting his father in Seattle, Washington in September.

Then, authorities said Jeffrey Hanson, 46, and his son disappeared.

"He just took the boy out like that? I mean that's terrible, putting the child at risk like that, I just can't understand how someone could do that to a young child," said Nancy Donatacci who lives in the Hazleton area.

FBI agents said the two were located last week, aboard Jeffrey Hanson's sailboat docked on the shores of one of the smallest island countries in the world, in the South Pacific north of New Zealand.

Island officials said they got a tip from someone who recognized Jeffrey Hanson from a wanted flier sent out by an FBI office in Australia.

The FBI said Billy Hanson was safe. Agents are working to reunite him with his mother.

"I think it's unusual. I mean, I hadn't really heard anything about it. I'm glad to hear he's OK though," said John Cornett of Hazleton.

Jeffrey Hanson was arrested in the South Pacific and brought back to the United States Sunday. He was charged in federal court in Los Angeles with international parental kidnapping Monday.

"I don't think the penalties are harsh enough for people who do anything with kids. They should really zap them for anything they do with kids like that kidnapping or molestation," said Kevin Donatacci of the Hazleton area.

In all, FBI agents said young Billy Hanson traveled from Hazleton to Seattle to the South Pacific, more than 7,000 miles.

"That's unbelievable. I mean, how could someone take their child and put them out at sea like that?" said Nancy Donatacci.

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