Boy, 12, Found More Than a Year After He Disappeared, as Police Arrest Family Member

King Richards disappeared from New York state when he was 11 years old

NEED TO KNOW

• Dwight C. Richards was arrested this month after allegedly disappearing with his son for more than a year
• The child, now 12, was found in good health after Dwight allegedly “facilitated [his] return”
• Dwight pleaded not guilty to second-degree criminal contempt charges

The father of a New York boy was arrested last week, 15 months after he allegedly disappeared with the child during what authorities described as a custody proceeding.

Dwight C. Richards, 54, was arrested on June 15 in connection with the disappearance of 12-year-old King Richards, who was reported missing in March 2025 by his mother, the New Rochelle Police Department said in a statement.

The child, who was rescued after Dwight "facilitated [his] return," was found to be in good health after an evaluation, according to the statement.

Police alleged in an earlier statement issued weeks before the child was rescued that Dwight took King, then 11 years old, during a custodial proceeding in March 2025 and disappeared.

In July 2025, Dwight failed to bring the child to court under a judge-issued mandate, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office said, leading to a warrant for his arrest.

The child has since been returned to his mother, who had been granted full custody during the time he was missing, according to New Rochelle police.

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Dwight has been charged second-degree criminal contempt, per authorities. He also was charged with a violation of the Family Court Act.

Online court records reviewed by PEOPLE show he pleaded not guilty.