A boy who was abducted from Oakland at the age of six has been discovered alive 73 years later. Luis Armando Albino, now 79, was located thanks to the tireless efforts of his niece, Alida Alequin, who never lost hope of reuniting with her long-lost uncle.
Luis was kidnapped on February 21, 1951, while playing in what was then Jefferson Square Park in West Oakland. Lured away by a woman promising candy, he was taken across the country and raised by a couple in New York City as their own son. His mother, who believed he would one day return, passed away in 2005 at the age of 92 without ever knowing his fate.
A breakthrough came earlier this year when Alequin, 63, utilized DNA testing and old newspaper archives to embark on a quest to find her uncle. Working closely with local law enforcement, the FBI, and the Department of Justice, Alida played a crucial role in piecing together the clues of Luis's past, leading to his discovery.
In the decades since his abduction, Luis built a fulfilling life for himself, serving as a firefighter and Marine Corps veteran, with two tours of duty in Vietnam. He also became a father and grandfather.
Alida organized a heartfelt reunion for Luis and his older brother, Roger, who at 83 had not seen Luis since his abduction. "He hugged me and said, ‘Thank you for finding me,’” Alida recounted, detailing the emotional first meeting. The brothers spent time sharing memories, including their military service and the day of the kidnapping.
Sadly, Roger was recently diagnosed with cancer and had limited time left to live. Alida noted the bittersweet nature of their reunion, revealing that they embraced tightly and had deep conversations. Roger passed away in August, just weeks after seeing Luis again. “I think he died happily,” Alida reflected. “He was at peace knowing that his brother was found.”
Alida believes her grandmother, Luis’s mother, would have been overjoyed if she could have witnessed the reunion. “She never forgot him; she always said he was still alive,” she shared, adding that she was glad to bring closure and happiness to her family.
Luis has yet to speak publicly about his experience but has some memories from his childhood. As for Alida's message to other families in similar situations, she urges them not to give up hope in their search for loved ones. "I was always determined to find him,” she said, “and who knows, with my story out there, it could help other families."
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