Indiana boy kidnapped since 1994 found in Minnesota

LAGRANGE, Ind. (WISH) - A boy who has been missing since he was kidnapped from northern Indiana by his grandparents in 1994 has been found living, married and well, in Minnesota, the Indiana State Police said.

Richard Wayne Landers Jr. was taken July 19, 1994, by his paternal grandparents, Richard and Ruth Landers, who were allegedly upset over custody proceedings in court. Richard Jr. was 5 years old at the time.

Charges were dropped against the grandparents in 2008, ISP said, and Richard Jr.’s parents continued to search for him with police help.

In September, police found a man in Long Prairie, Minn., was using Richard Jr.’s Social Security number and had the same date of birth as the missing boy’s. In October, ISP contacted Minnesota officials, and along with the FBI and Social Security Administration, they continued the investigation in Minnesota.

The grandparents were found to be living under assumed names in Browerville, Minn., ISP said, and admitted their actual identities and confirmed Richard Jr. was the boy who was taken in 1994. He is now 24.

"It's nice to put closure to this case, and now the family can begin the process of re-connecting with their loved one," said LaGrange County (Minn.) Sheriff Terry Martin.

ISP praised the cooperation between the departments.

There are currently 24 Hoosier children listed as missing with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Anyone with information on any missing child should contact their local law enforcement agency, the ISP or NCMEC.