Child kidnapped in 2004 found alive

Krystle Rochelle Tanner charged with kidnapping

HOUSTON – A Houston mother is one step closer to seeing her son for the first time in eight years.

Auboni Champion-Morin said she never gave up hope that her child would be found alive. 

Miguel Morin was 8 months old when he disappeared with a woman, who his mother considered a friend and who was the child's godmother.

Krystle Rochelle Tanner was supposed to watch Miguel for only one night, but they disappeared in November of 2004.

The distraught mother said she called police and did everything to find her baby.

"I prayed every night that he was safe, loved and he would come home one day," said Champion-Morin.

Houston police investigated the case for two years, but it hit a dead end. The case was closed in 2006.  

Earlier this week, investigators with the St. Augustine County Sheriff's Office received a phone call from Tanner's sister. She told them Miguel was alive and living in Houston.

Tanner has been booked into jail without bond. She isn't cooperating, according to investigators. She has been charged with felony kidnapping.

Champion-Morin is making plans to be reunited with her son, but she has to take a DNA test to prove she is his mother.

A Children's Protective Services spokeswoman said they will consider counseling and other services to help the mother and Miguel, who is now 8 years old, to become reunited with a minimum amount of stress and confusion for the child.

"Right now, I'm just really anxious to see him, but I know there is a lot of legal stuff I have to do," said Champion-Morin.  "I want to hold him in my arms and let him know who I am. I hope he can feel the same thing I feel for him."