Evening star., 1937-08-05
COURT GETS FIGHT
OVER HORST CHILD.
Abductors Were Boys Real
Parents, but Intrusted Him
to Care of Wealthy Horsts.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, August 5.-Otto and
Martha Horst turned to the courts to-
day, hoping to win permanent custody
of the dark-haired boy they cherished
as their own since infancy, who was
taken from them Tuesday in what
police first believed to be kidnapping
The 30-month-old boy, Donald, was
being cared for at st. Vincent's Or
phanage pending settlement of the
dispute between the Horsts and the
young man and woman who told au-
thoritieS Donald was their son and
admitted taking him forcibly from Mrs
Horst
Donald was surrendered to Assistant
States Attorney w. F. Crowley yes
terday by the abductors, John Regan
and Lydia Nelson, who said they had
intrusted the boy to the Horsts at
birth because of lack of money. Crow
ley said the Horsts admitted this was
true
The prosecutor said it was unlikely
any charges would be filed against any
one, but there was a possibility Fred
EWert, accused of driving the car in
which Donald was taken from the
Horst home, might be questioned if
found. Police said EWert, missing since
the time of the snatching, had
criminal record.
Sobs at Mention of Mama"
I'm sure Donald will be back here
playing with all his toys by tonight"
Mrs. Horst said cheerfully after dis
cussing plans to have an attorney start
legal proceedings at once to regain the
child
The boy appeared to enjoy his new
surroundings, but mention of mama"
started him crying He sobbed in his
crib until he fell asleep last night.
While not showing any animosity
toward the Forsts, Miss Nelson, 25-
year-old common law wife of the ma
chlnist. indicated she would fight for
the child
My heart aches Mrs. Horst told
her Il want that child Won't you
give him to me? Well take care of
him
I've had a lot of heartaches my
self" Miss Nelson replied. Hes my
child and I'm entitled to him.
We can take better care of him.
suggested Mrs. Horst, whose husband
is part owner of a sound equipment
manufacturing concern.
We'll, I admit you've done pretty
well for him." Regan replied. He re-
lated they hesitated several minutes
at the Horst home after they saw
how well the boy was being cared for,
before taking him from Mrs. Horst.
Papers Show Horsts Parents.
Crowley said Miss Nelson told him
she and Regain never married because
she had not been divorced from her
first husband.
She said that although she tried
for more than two years to find the
baby, it was only 10 days ago that she
learned the Horsts had him.
John and knew it would be hope
less to ask the Horsts to give up the
baby. So We decided just to take him.
We didn't think Mrs. Horst would
make a fuss, knowing the circum-
stances of the child's birth"
The Regans denied asking $4,000
ransom. Mrs. Horst's account of The
demand by telephone started the in
tensive search for the two men and
woman who effected the abduction.
Crowley said his investigation re-
vealed Donald was born to Miss Nell
son January 6, 1885, and that the
mother agreed to let the physician, DR..
John A. Rose, place the infant with
a wealthy man Believing the
adoption only temporary, the Regans
signed no papers. The doctor then
arranged transfer of the infant to
the Horsts.
The prosecutor said a birth certifi-
cate showing the Horsts as the par
ents had been filed.