A missing West Valley boy located in Idaho was back home Thursday, recuperating from an ordeal that took him more than 200 miles from his family.
C.J. Christiansen, 9, was found apparently unharmed Wednesday at a Pocatello railyard with Allen Christensen, the boy's West Valley neighbor now under investigation for kidnapping. The boy had disappeared from his grandmother's West Valley home Monday. Police believe he met Christensen at a local convenience store.Christensen, 26, a convicted child molester who violated his parole by associating alone with the young boy, remained in Idaho Thurs-day and may face federal child-kidnapping charges. He told police officials he will not fight extradition. Pocatello police obtained a search warrant to get samples from Christensen to investigate if he had sexually assaulted the boy.
Initially, Christiansen may have left with the man, believing they were going camping, according to police. But near the end of the trip, he likely realized his peril.
"I think he was starting to figure out something was wrong," Pocatello police Capt. Kirk Nelson said. The boy told police that Chris-tensen intended to go to Montana, then on to Missouri, Nelson said.
A Union Pacific Railroad Co. employee had spotted the pair about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday under a railroad overpass and, suspicious of their presence, called Pocatello police. Christensen tried to pass the young boy off as his son, but when police checked his name with the National Crime Information Center, they discovered he was wanted in association with the boy's disappearance.
After leaving Utah Monday, Christensen had abandoned his green Ford pickup truck in southern Idaho following a breakdown. The pair then hitchhiked and hopped a freight train to Pocatello.
Neighbors in the boy's West Valley neighborhood reacted with mixed feelings to news that Christiansen had been located. They were relieved that C.J. was alive and apparently well but were angry at Christensen.
"I was happy when I watched TV and found out that the kid was OK, but I'd like to shoot the guy he was with," said Rich Oldham. "I guess I get mad whenever I hear about someone who takes advantage of a defenseless child or animal."
Others living along Planada Way near 5500 West and 4885 South say they should have been informed of Christensen's past.
Shaun Mayhew, 15, said the incident may have been avoided if people were better informed, adding "the easiest way to deal with the guy is to let some of the area's parents take care of (Christensen)."
A woman living east of C.J. and Christensen's home, who asked not to be identified, said events of the last few days have made her more cautious with her own kids.
"My children will never get too far away from me," she said. "C.J. is a real nice kid, so it scares me that much more. You don't know who you can trust - so you can't trust anyone."
Meanwhile, Christensen's mother accused the media of reporting the story irresponsibly.
"People in the news only want the worst to happen. My son would not hurt a fly," she said.
Christensen's parents said they have not spoken with their son since he apparently left with C.J. Monday afternoon.
Despite the possible abduction, resident Jay Henderson called Planada Way a good place to live, adding "I moved here from San Diego, the methamphetamine capitol of the world, so I've always kept my younger kids close to home. But there are some real nice people living around here."