Police in Germany are investigating the disappearance of a seven-year-old boy and his mum shortly after a court granted sole custody to the child’s father.
Dad Erich Schlehuber, 60, from the town of Regenstauf near Regensburg, Bavaria, is convinced that his son Lucas has been abducted by his ex-wife, 47-year-old Eva Griebel.
Erich and Eva married in 2012. Erich said: “We got to know each other at the local gym. We fell in love and soon tied the knot.”
They agreed on shared custody after getting divorced in 2016 when their only son Lucas was one year old.
Erich told the Bild newspaper: “I stayed in Regenstauf but Eva moved to Munich. Lucas spent the weekends with me. He was always crying when I drove him to his mum’s place. He didn’t want to go there. He wanted to stay with me. So I decided to fight to obtain sole custody.”
A court eventually approved Erich’s request earlier this year.
But the boy went missing shortly after all legal procedures were settled.
Erich said: “In late September, I got a call from his primary school. They asked me how he was doing and when he’d be back. They also wanted to know why his mother was unavailable for days.”
Lucas and his mother have not been seen ever since he attended school on the 23rd September, according to Bavarian police.
Erich – who has put up dozens of search posters to find his son – said: “My son is missing for more than two months now. I’m worried. He got kidnapped by my ex. I just hope that Lucas is going fine.”
A spokesman for the police told Bild: “We currently have no precise information regarding the whereabouts of Lucas and his mother. Our investigations of a possible case of the abduction of a minor are ongoing. There is evidence suggesting that the woman and the child went abroad.”
On his search posters which feature several photos of a brightly smiling Lucas at a playground, Erich appeals: “Have you got any information? Have you seen Lucas anywhere? Please help me by letting me know of any kind of information that might be helpful.
“I’m deeply concerned as I have no information whatsoever on where Lucas may be. The police have been informed. Unfortunately, there have been no results yet.”
