Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-03
EDW. La BELLE, JR.,
YOUNG SMYRNA BOY,
FOUND IN BUFFALO
Jean Valentine, Alleged Kidnap-
per, Arrested There
Today.
CHILD WAS IN A HOSPITAL

Edward LaBelle, Jr., 5-ycar-old son oil
Edward LaBelle. who mysterously DIS
appeared from his home, IN Smyrna on
Monday. was located today, according
TO an Associated Press dispatch, IN
Buffalo. \. Y. and was turned over to ms
father, who had gone to that city.
The dispatch, which was received by
Every Evening today, also states that
loan Valentine. who is alleged to have
kidnapped the boy from his home, on
Monday. was arrested. Following his
arrest he told the police that the boy was
ut observation-disclosures, where they had oeeh
living after arriving in Buffalo. When the
police searched the place they. couid ma
no trace of the boy, but little iater 10
Gated him in a children s hospital. where
he had been taken on VISIT by inc pro-
prictor of the clearinghouse ne boy;
who has not been harmed, was turned
over TO his father.
VALENTINE HAD wRITTEN'PARENrS.
Following the receipt Of n letter written
from Buffalo. saving the boy was safe
,borc and would he delivered to the
narcnts if they should go TO Buffalo, MIR
l.aBcllo left for that city yesterday alter
noon
Valentine. according to the LaBclles,
told them to write to HIM, care 81 general
delivery, Buffalo, stating whether they
would come to that city and when they
would arrive and he would deliver the
child IL them upon their arrival. The
,,ol,cc az Buffalo had been notified.
Mr. LaBclIc said yesterday that Naicn-
tine had demanded payment Of 5000 from
hin, several weeks ago Two weeks ago
in Atlantic City got long distance call
from Valentine while ! was IN that city.
said LaBclle. "He demanded 5000 from
me | told him didn't know him, didn't
owe him anv money and wouldnt pay It,.
Very well. he said, I'm going 10 get
it, ! told him to 20 ahead and sue. |
onlv saw the man once IN my lie, ana /
never had any business dealings with him
Nv wife assures me she had no dealings
with him. either, and | am at loss to
account for his demands
Valentine made no demand for ransom
or money in his letter received by the
LaBeles, they said.
VALENTINE CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING.
Special Dispatch to Every Evening
Buffalo, y. y, June 3-Edward La
Belle. Jr.. the five-year-old son Of Mr..
and Mrs. Edward LaBellc OF smyrna,
he who was brought 20 Buffalo last
Tuesaay ~ Ross IS 3tl a.ia Jean
Valentine, q cook IN a local hotel, was
today restored TO the arms OF has father
hy Detective Sergeants Thomas J. Rior-
dan and Francis O'Nelll. lie Crcax IS
being held at police headquarters on a
charge Of kidnapping
me lad had been held. virtually a
prisoner. at the home of Angelic Lapurla.
No. ia Wilkeson street, since his arrival
in this city, on Tuesday morning. When
questioned by his father he said he had
been severely whipped on several oc-
casions BIZ lie CroiX, because he called Tor
his mother His food was brought 10 him
by the alleged abductor and eaten in the
room, he said.
DENIES MALICIOUS INTENT.
lie Croix claimed that he did not mean
10 kidnap the boy, but brought him to
Buffalo at the request Of Mrs. LaBellc,
whom he had seen last Sunday afternoon.
This story is secuted by the father and
the detectives, however. The story as
related by Mr.. LaBclle, is as follows,
Il was in Atlantic City at the time tho
hoy was taken. About O. clock on Mon
day night | received telephone messag
from my wife in Smyrna that Edward
had been kidnapped by lie Croix, or, as she
called him Valentine ] had heard of this
MN but had never seen him.
Il rushed home and the following morn
ing received a telegram from this city,
stating that the boy das al right. Yester-
dav morning my wife received letter,
which was signed by Valentine and stated
that he was IN Buffalo and asking her to
come back to him and be good pals
again took the first tram and arrived
in BuffaIoethis morning. The detectives
were already on the trail and shortly
after nv arrival picked up Valentine upon
description at the Mckinley Monument.
envy wife lived in Buffalo with her
mother, Elizabeth La Belle. from last
November until March, when they moved
to Delaware Valentine, ] understand,
lived with the family at No. Al Lemon
street. ! was separated from my wife for
over a year" He laid the blame for the
separation upon Valentine La Belle
said his wife was formerly employed in
the Pennsylvania Hotel In New York
City.
About two weeks ago. La Belle con-
tinued. ~ met my wife and a reconcilia-
ton followed. During our separation
she had the child. | worked as press
man in Atlantic City and previous TO
that time was in the theatrical business. .
DrDITpIIrAN pETEpTION