CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – A 9-year-old boy who was abducted from Clarksville has been found and recovered on the outskirts of Mexico City in a joint operation between the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals and Mexican authorities.
An Endangered Child Alert was issued in February for Christopher Ponce. Officials with the Clarksville Police Department said he was taken by 56-year-old William Stanley King, who also went by William Allen Borck.
King was previously married to Christopher’s mother, Yenny Ponce. He was the child’s stepfather.
King lost custody of the boy after a hearing in Montgomery County. He then drove to Christopher’s school and removed him from class.
Police developed information that led them to believe King could be headed south of the border.
Investigators with the TBI learned that Ponce and King were near Mexico City. With the help of U.S. Marshals and Mexican law enforcement, they were able to track down King and take him into custody.
They found him Thursday at a FedEx facility.
According to a TBI press release, King initially refused to tell them Christopher’s location. Eventually the Mexican officials were able to find the 9-year-old safe and healthy.
"I think everyone would agree there is nothing more rewarding than finding an abducted or missing child," said Susan Niland, Public Information Officer for the TBI. "When authorities got to him yesterday, they found him in good condition. That is the best anyone could hope for."
Christopher was brought back to the U.S. and reunited with his mother.
"He's doing great," said Yenny Ponce, Christopher's mother. "I never lost hope I would find my kid and be with him again. I never lost that hope in my heart."
King was expected to be extradited to the states to face charges of especially aggravated kidnapping, filing a false report and custodial interference.
Christopher and his mother plan to live in South Carolina.
