A young boy from the Scranton area has been found safe in Puerto Rico and is expected to be reunited with his mother after his father was arrested there, according to county prosecutors. The father, identified as 65-year-old Frank Nellom, is accused of taking the child despite a custody order giving the mother full custody, then cutting off contact with relatives and authorities. After what officials described as a multi-agency probe, investigators located both Nellom and the boy, who is now in protective care in Puerto Rico.
The Lackawanna County District Attorney's Office says the search began after Nellom left Pennsylvania with the child and “ceased communication,” triggering what was described as an extensive investigation spanning agencies in the United States and Puerto Rico, according to CBS Pittsburgh. District Attorney Brian J. Gallagher wrote on social media that “a child is safe and will soon be reunited,” according to that report. Court paperwork cited by the office shows Nellom is charged with interfering with the custody of children and concealing the whereabouts of a child, and prosecutors say the investigation remains active with additional charges still on the table.
What the Charges Mean
Under Pennsylvania law, interference with custody is a crime when someone knowingly or recklessly takes a child from the lawful custodian without any legal right to do so, and it is typically prosecuted as a felony offense. The statute lays out only a few narrow defenses, such as a reasonable belief that taking the child was necessary to protect the child's welfare, and courts tend to interpret those defenses strictly. The full legal language and grading details are available in the state code, as set out in the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.
How Cross-Jurisdiction Probes Work
When a child is taken across state lines or outside the mainland United States, local prosecutors often have to coordinate with federal partners and authorities in the other state, country or territory to track down and safeguard the child. The Justice Department notes that the International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act can apply in certain situations, and the FBI has outlined how its field offices and other federal resources can support these kinds of cases with investigative work, victim services and efforts to return the child, depending on the facts. That kind of cooperation can involve sharing leads, working with the State Department on travel or passport issues, and coordinating with child welfare agencies where the child is found.
Where the Child Is Now and What Comes Next
CBS Pittsburgh reports that the boy is currently in the care of Puerto Rico's Administration for Families and Children and is expected to be reunited with his mother in Pennsylvania, according to the district attorney's office. Local prosecutors say the investigation is not over and that more charges could be filed as they continue to piece together what happened. Authorities have not yet released full details about any extradition arrangements or upcoming court dates.
The DA's office has stressed that the child's safety remains the top priority and has asked the public and media to give the family space while authorities finish their work. Anyone who believes they have relevant information is typically urged to contact local law enforcement or the Lackawanna County District Attorney's Office, which continues to lead the active investigation.
