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SAN DIEGO -- A mother and her 7-year-old son have been reunited five years after the boy was kidnapped by his father and taken to Mexico, authorities said.
According to the San Diego District Attorney's office, the boy had been living with his grandparents near Mexico City after his father, 37-year-old Julio Rocha kidnapped him and left him there.
"I haven't really celebrated Christmas or his birthday or anything," he boy's mother, Leilani Masumoto, told NBC 7. "I was just waiting to get him back home. This will be our first Christmas together."
Masumoto said she had just been given full custody of her son, Keoni, when Rocha took the boy to Mexico. But last week her prayers were answered.
That's when authorities got a call from the grandparents' next-door neighbor, who came across a missing children's poster online with the boy's photo and recognized him.
'Broke down in tears'
After years of anguish, mother and child were finally reunited.
"As soon as he came, I just broke down in tears," Masumoto recalled.
But they are tears she says she would not shed if she ever has to face Keoni's father again.
Read more stories from NBCSanDiego.com
"I think my first initial reaction would be to just slap him across the face. I don't think he cared about Keoni, it's just more the fact of taking him to hurt me and he accomplished that," she said.
Although she may have lost years of memories with her son, it only took one look at her little boy to find that love again.
"It was like, will I recognize my son? Will he recognize me? And when I saw him, that was it," she said.
Right now, Masumoto is focused on getting her son settled in back home.
Keoni is autistic so Masumoto is trying to find a school that focuses on special-needs students.
Authorities are still looking for Rocha. He is facing felony kidnapping charges.
Investigators say he might be going under the name Miguel Martinez and may be staying with relatives in Virginia or North Carolina.
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The same thing happened to my granddaughter. Her father, a bank President in a small MO town did the same. He was abusive and had such control in the small town that he walked away scott free. He was mentally and physically abusive. Neither he nor his wife were charged with kidnapping or abduction. The Sheriff's wife worked for him so pickup orders for the child were swept under the rug. One judge got caught taking a bribe of $5000 from the banker and had to step down. (public record). Yet the father walked scott free. He lies at the drop of a hat and no one will go against him because of his position as bank president. Sad and this is the US. Child finally got away from him after 13 years. After lots of care, love and therapy she graduated with honor (he told her she was dumb) got an academic scholarship and at the moment is in college. He is still walking free. Justice?? Not in the US!
It is a wonderful end to an otherwise sad ending. The boy reunited with his loving mother... Praise God and much prayer for continued happiness.
@EStevens.... I do realize your frustration BUT there is always a legal recourse that could have been taken by the state legislature or event outside the state. I realized that "proper" legal representation cost money but ONLY in the USA do you have a civil system in which the child (now young adult) can bring civil charges for the physical/mental abuse... I pray for her situation as well.. But hey... I do believe that what goes around comes around...... he will get his... God doesn't forget and neither will your Granddaughter.
The courts are screwed up, especially in Missouri!
Great story E.Stevens. Thanks for sharing.
Flame, have you walked down that road? If not, you are not qualified to comment.
I watched what was done to my daughter and grandson by a system filled with corruption. When she finally had the courage to leave and make a statement of abuse, the first thing the county mountie did was notify the abuser so he could hide his guns. When my grandson was kidnapped, the cops aided the kidnapper even though state law is clear on parental kidnapping. Social services ~and what a lie that is~never did their job and was only concerned with what was expedient for the parent with very deep pockets and connections. The social worker committed perjury and was never challenged by the judge. . . nor was anyone else who committed perjury.
My grandson had his childhood stolen by a parent only seeking revenge and who had the full support of a corrupt system. Can you even begin to imagine the trauma to a little boy whose father had no time for him and whose whole world was his mother? A little boy who literally had to be peeled ~screaming~ from his mother's body?
Until you've lived it, go away with your opinion.
jkatze - what a totally uncalled for comment. Nothing Flame said was offensive in the least. If anything, she offered an option of possible civil suit against the father. You were out of line and owe Flame an apology. Now lets see if you are big enough to offer one.
jkatze ..... yep sure have: By the by I Pray for you and your family and truly sympathize with your plight... I'm sure you'll replace the criticism of the "lost" childhood with love. (despite your criticism of me.)
I don't mind telling you my personal family stories but I never make it a "competition" to see who was hurt more.k Hurt is hurt.. pain is pain. I make no excuse for corruption, mismanagement, laziness and the prevalent malaise of government officials but we have the only system on earth that can offer recourse. Yes my Daughter, grandson and other family have "suffered" from many of the things that you described but that does make my pain less or more and it certainly does not "disqualify" me from from (at the least) showing sympathy if not empathy.
Maybe I can do nothing but pray... but I tell you this I sure won't criticize someone for saying "I understand." even if they don't. But before man and God here is my resume:
2nd marriage, 2 her kids, 2 my kids (I was a single parent active duty in the Army).
Both had full custody of Children (Brady bunch)
2 foster children that are grown have children of their own, still call me "Dad"
20 yrs (ret) Army medic
Ex Alcoholic, Christian, devout... no excuses.
5 grands, (9 if you count the Fosters)... If you don't think I "lived enough" to "comment" well stick around... I might actually have something to say one day.
(man... I feel old)
@ e stevens. how frustrating for you and the traumer that you and your family must have gone through. Atleast the child is now free of the abuse' but that is not to say that you are. My thoughts are with you and I hope you can stay atrong which I think could be a long on going battle.Have a safe day regards.
I can't imagine losing my child like that. I'm glad she got him back and he's still young enough to be assimilated with his mother. I hope they have a very happy life together.
The grandparents had to be just as mean and controlling to keep that kid for 5 years. What horrible people they must be to take a child from it's mother.
Steven100, I was thinking the same thing. And to think they allowed their idiot son to bring the little boy to them, leave him there and then run off back to the US is amazing. Don't they realize their son was taking advantage of them, and abusing his own precious son? I wonder if the grandparents will face any charges because they didn't report it.
@steven100 - don't blame the grandparents so out of hand; we don't know what lies their "darling" son told his parents. After all they love him and would believe him. It's what parents do.
I smell something. It is great that the mother has her son back, but one would think that the parents of the kidnapper would be one the 1st places to look. The grandparents could have been told lies by the son. He could told them that the mother was abusive to the child because he was defective.
Autistic child found after 5 yrs. brought back to the land of milk & honey, for some reason my wallet feels a little lighter this morning. Oh well, that is the type of need I don't mind assistance for.
Mexico doesn't really look for or return US children kidnapped by parents and brought there..
Steven 100,Of course the grandparents were mean.they are the ones who raised the father to be a mean spirited individual.I am glad that this little boy has been reunited with his mother.
Why weren't they reunited in Mexico?
Because the mother is a US citizen. Do you feel they should be in Mexico because the parents and child are Hispanic? Children and parents who are citizens of the United States are free to live here and conduct their lives, legal battles and all, in the United States of America.
Leilani Masumoto, is not a Hispanic name. She is most likely a US citizen & not from Mexico.
LOL! "adwham" and "familyfirst", what friggin' nonsense! 1) because she lives here. 2) Masumoto is not a American name either. But then again, neither is Smith or Jones...
Masumoto is a Japanese name.She is Japanese American.Why is her name such an issue with everybody anyway?She's the boys Mom and she loves her child.that is all that matters,Her last name does not make her love for her son any less.
or have several different names and be living in any of the 48 states. the one place they are not looking of course is mexico, he just dumped the kid there and came back. no papers ! no fear ! no $hit?
gm Tramp,
Of course they aren't looking in Mexico ....they are playing the odds. And, btw, make that at least 49 states. I've met illegals in Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Scooter, bill gm run Miguel Martinez on a back ground check. There isn't enough time in a day, month, or year to get a full rundown or location.
Because they didnt live in Mexico
The mexican border not being closed works perfectly for many types of criminals and their activities. The US is becoming more like Mexico every day. The murders, human trafficking, smuggling of drugs, and general lawlessness makes living near the border equal to living near a war zone. Until our representatives stop trying not to offend latino sensibilities and takes the protection of our citizens seriously these type of crimes will increase. In less than 2 weeks we will be able to replace the useless politicians who have put us in this position. If you don't know who to vote for vote against the incumbent. They have already failed at their responsibilities and replacing them may cause an improvement. Vote.
Wallace, this has been going on ever since there WAS a Mexican border, and it will go on until the people on the other side don't see an opportunity - in which case, it will probably go the other way. Point is, it probably won't ever stop - no matter what you do.
I am happy that the child is back with the mother.
Great news , this autistic child will cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars in special need cares. California is broke anyways. Both of these parents are probably Illigals ? The guy lives with relatives in Virgina. What? Why are authorities sitting on their hands on this one. Go after the father so he can pay for some of these costs. But wait, he has no money because he sends anything he makes back to his parents to Mexico and the cycle of bleeding America goes on and on!!!
The mother's name is Leilani Masumoto.... not Mexican.... so, likely not an 'illegal'.
Great news. A kidnapped child was returned safely.
You jumped to a lot of conclusions about the people in this article. The article didn't say anything about who had citizenship where. You may have some valid points, but you lose any credibility when you make so many assumptions. All I am saying is, there are better articles for your post. This article was about a kidnapped child.
Drago....get a fricken clue. Because he's autistic he shouldn't be with his mother? You are a sad, sorry, pathetic excuse for a human being. I pray you never have children because compassion is obviously not a part of who you are....only greed and selfishness.
Drago, the child is an AMERICAN! Who cares where his father is from? His mother is an American, and we don't turn our backs on fellow Americans just because they may be sick or different. Who gives a rat's behind how much it takes to help this kid? A kidnapped AMERICAN child is finally back home after 5 years and you post about MONEY! Get help for your sick obsession with money over people...
I'm not saying I agree with drago but he states they are probably illegals and that the grandparents are in Mexico. He doesn't say the mother or father was from Mexico. And many of you claim they or at least the mother is a US citizens. Unless that's from somewhere else how do you know that?
I guess I'm just saying how you are telling him not to jump to conclusions while doing the exact same thing.
The name sounds Hawaiian.
Glad she has her son back.
Come on people.You're making Americans look uneducated.The woman is Japanese.Google her name for crying out loud. Stop assuming that this woman cannot financially support her son.
With a name like Leilani Masumoto, she's not hardly Mexican. Try Hawaiian with a Japanese ancestry. Either way they can't get the father until they have an idea where he is. To say he's either in Virginia or North Carolina means they don't have good reason to know WHERE he is. They do not have the manpower to search either state or anywhere in between. Now that the news has tipped him off that his ex has the kid back, he will not call his parents or contact people he knows (unless he's really stupid) because they will all be watched, and calls traced.
Such a heartbreaking story but glad she has her baby back in her arms.
What a horrible father - steals the kid and ditches him with his parents. And the services for autistic kids are much better here in the US - his development has likely been severely hampered by his father's actions.
Glad he's back with his mama!
I agree - this kid's father not only hurt the mother, but hurt the boy.
Precious time was wasted when this child's development could have been helped by early intervention, but that selfish S O B prevented that.
So why is there no picture of the Kidnapper Father??? Those of us in North Carolina or Virginia would LOVE to know what this guy looks like to be on the look out so to speak....
His photo is in the video.
this is going on rite now with me but no lawyer will touch it i havent seen my child in 5 yrs his father took him when he was 4 yrs old they r in the us and i cant find anyone lawyer ,state aid, or even missing and exploited children org to help hes with an abisive man and he only took him to hurt me every year he runs to a new state as soon as i find him its awful i feel like a mother of a dead child but hes not dead worst feeling in the world someday i hope and pray i will get him back home where he belongs
Hire a private detective and when you locate him, snatch the child back - THEN go to the police. Or, if you have to go by the book, have a private investigator search for him, then go to the police and get him. As long as you have the custody order, and there's some sort of warrant on him for violating the court order. It might cost you, but it's do-able.
She would slap him across the face? I'd put a bullet between his legs.
God bless the two of you...enjoy a wonderful Christmas :)
My heart goes out to her. My ex-husband didn't care, we had shared custody of our son, but I raised him for the duration of his life. I am so happy that she got her son back, thanks to an alerted neighbor. As for the autism, she can take him to horse therapy, horses work wonders. It's the trauma he went thru, and the love and motion of the horse will help him. My folks also helped, my father was there for the male and father images. I thank my dad for being there and my son loved and respected his g-pa. As for his dad, he does not. I now have two g-daughters, they come and stay with and visit me. My son and the girls' mother share custody, both live in separate towns. My son get the girls every other weekend. They have horses too, cats and dogs. So I'm glad she has him home and happy.
Your son should have 50/50 custody. Every other weekend is a sham of a situation for a loving parent. This really must change.
Grandparents should be charged with kidnapping as well but being they are in corrupt Mexico that probably won't happen.
Don't assume the lying father told his parents the truth. He may have told them the mother wanted nothing to do with the child...
Yep, I can feel the pain. I have an ex wife decide to take my 3 children from state to state to state. I have not seen or talked to them in 8 years and it is likely that by the time i do see them, they will all be grown.
See now, the thing is that this eventually comes back to bite the parents that take the children away. I will see my children one day and they will know the truth of what happened. I expect that my ex will have a lot to answer for in the coming years.
Funniest thing though... If I could ensure that my ex would not have to answer for what she has done, I would do it. I tried to tell her before all of this happened that she needed to keep her promises about me being able to see the children, because it would only look bad on her later. I wish she would have listened. In the future I will not be able to predict either the courts or the children's reaction when its time for her to account.
I am always left with the question, Why do parents use children as weapons? Why? What possible reason could anyone have to destroy a kid's relationship with either parent? So much time lost, so needless and unspeakably hard to wake up to most days.
Im glad this story had an good ending though.
QE137, Women tend to be emotional. Anger and the urge for revenge drives people to do things as your ex did. Rational thought has no place when she wanted to hurt you as much as possible. You need to go on as many social media sites as you can. Post pictures and friend known relatives. The children will find you...
Leilani (Hawaiian, a U.S. state). Matsumoto (Japanese, probably also of United States origin, possibly Hawaii). Mom also looks like she might be part Caucasian. What does it matter? The bigotry of many in this country has long crossed into insanity. The child is safe and he is beautiful!
So true QE....even tho my ass is a selfish ass.....the most important thing to me was always that my girlies have the best possible relationship with him that they could.... sadly his selfishness always seems to keep it from being a better relationship...but i know i've always done everything i could to help the relationship be better. I will never understand parents who use their children against each other.
It is wonderful that the mother and son are reunited. I can only imagine the anguish she went through all those years. I hope that they manage well. It will probably not be an easy road, it has been so long since the child last saw her and he was so young then - so they will have to get to know each other all over again. I don't condemn the grandparents, their son may have lied to them, but he-the father-obviously did not give a damn about the son, he just did not want the mother to have him. I don't understand how one or both parents can use their children against the other one, trying to hurt them. I would never do something like that, in fact, I try to ensure that my son and his father have a relationship-even when his dad doesn't seem to really want one.
Thank goodness they are reunited!!!
She's more patient than me... I would have hunted his @$$ down in Mexico, buried him in the desert somewhere, and brought my kid home. I'm glad they have been reunited and I hope that bastard turns up soon.
Don't judge her. She probably wanted to do that and didn't have the resources to do it. She probably didn't even know where the grandparents lived.
So happy for her that she has her son back.
kaily, He wasn't there with the kid. He left the kid with his parents and is elsewhere, as the story indicates...
Finally a story about a child with a happy ending. I can only imagine the wonderful Christmas Mother and Son will have together. All of her prayers were answered.
When a parent does this, or even a parent who just tries to keep a child from another parent, they are not thinking about that child's welfare. They are only thinking of themselves. I've seen children with real issues because a mother with full custody didn't want to let the father see the child, because of her bitterness over their relationship going sour. It's really sad how it negatively affects a child. The only way I would condone something like this is if one parent were trying to protect the child from an abusive parent.
My ex husband and I share a daughter. I have always said that I would never stand between their relationship because I know how much SHE loves HIM. I would never want to hurt my child that way. He is a good father, we just didn't belong together.
I'm so glad to hear this story had a happy ending. So many sad stories about children this week, I really needed to hear about a happy ending! :)