A 24-hour search for a Milwaukee boy ended with his safe return this week, but his father has been criticized for allegedly fleeing before the abduction.
According to WISN 12, the child, Jamal White Jr., was abducted last Friday evening (July 11). A nationwide Amber Alert was signaled, and the boy was recovered the next evening, just seven miles away from where he was taken.
Surveillance video showed a white Jeep parked near where White was riding his bike, while his father, Jamal White Sr., was driving a Sedan alongside the child. The Jeep abruptly blocked the end of the driveway, where two individuals, one seen holding a gun, attempted to chase White's father, who entered the house and locked the door behind him.
The other individual went after the child before grabbing him and returning to the Jeep. Moments later, the family exited the home, including White's father, who slammed his arms on the trunk of his vehicle.
On Tuesday (July 15), Jamal Sr. defended his alleged escape on Facebook, where he insisted that his son was safe the entire time. The man accused the public of "painting them crazy ass narratives" and authorities of treating him like the "bad guy."
"As long as my baby straight all that ever mattered I still ain’t seen my baby face to face the police locked me all day saturday questioning me even when intold them everything i knew," the status read.
The man also posted a report about the abduction, writing "Hell yeah I ran."
"I ran im thinking they tryna rob me not take my damn baby yalll slow we both alive n my baby tried to get away like I taught em god had us the whole time obviously I did right my baby safe !" he continued.
Reactions to the man's denials were largely negative, with many accusing him of disregarding the boy's welfare.
Three have since been arrested in connection to the incident, including the boy's uncle, Jamel White, who was charged with first-degree recklessly endangering safety.
