Re: ANDREW JOHN THOMPSON 4 - missing from Australia (may be in Germany or UK) - 25/04/08

**Tezza** Thu Sep 09, 2010 9:18 am

The Sydney Morning Herald

After almost three years, missing son finally surfaces

Eamonn Duff

September 9, 2010

http://www.smh.com.au/national/after-almost-three-years-missing-son-finally-surfaces-20100909-151lr.html

**Twiglet** Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:23 pm

ABC Online

9 September 2010

Father finds abducted son after bike quest through Europe‎

A Sydney man's odyssey to find his abducted son is about to end with a happy reunion in Amsterdam.

Ken Thompson's desire to see his son Andrew again was so strong he quit his job as a deputy fire chief, mounted a bicycle, and rode 6,500 kilometres through Europe to find him.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/09/3006780.htm

**Twiglet** Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:24 pm

Sydney Morning Herald

9 September 2010

Missing six-year-old found in Amsterdam

http://www.smh.com.au/national/missing-sixyearold-found-in-amsterdam-20100909-151t0.html

**Twiglet** Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:24 pm

Herald Sun

9 September 2010

Missing Aussie boy found in Europe‎

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/missing-australian-boy-andrew-thompson-found-after-three-years/story-e6frf7jx-1225916285616

**Twiglet** Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:26 pm

Barcelona Reporter

9 September 2010

Abducted child Andrew Thompson now aged 6 in safe custody at an Amsterdam Government childcare home

Runaway mother Melinda Margaret Thompson (nee Stratton) wanted for child abduction in Australia arrested in Amsterdam on Interpol Arrest Warrant.
Extradition proceedings to Australia commenced by Dutch Police

Abducted child Andrew Thompson now aged 6 in safe custody at an Amsterdam Government childcare home

http://www.barcelonareporter.com/index.php?/news/comments/abducted_child_andrew_thompson_now_aged_6_in_safe_custody_at_an_amsterdam_g/

**Twiglet** Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:28 pm

This is fantastic news!!

Ken you must be feeling on top of the world right now!!! Wishing you all the best for a happy future together!!

Missing Kids Website hasn't caught up with the news yet as Andrew is still Listed there!!!

ANDREW JOHN THOMPSON
http://uk.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewChildDetail&caseNum=1012&orgPrefix=ICMC&seqNum=1&caseLang=en_X1&searchLang=en_GB

**pam supportfromireland** Fri Sep 10, 2010 8:14 am

Fantastic news ! Time for a happy

& a few

**pam supportfromireland** Fri Sep 10, 2010 1:31 pm

Find Andrew Website

http://www.findandrew.com/International%20Press%20Release.pdf

Loads to read in the article. It is hoped father and son are reunited now clap

**zannie** Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:11 pm

smh.com.au(Sydney Morning Herald)

10th September 2010

Missing son safe and well: father

includes short video with father´s voice

http://www.smh.com.au/world/missing-son-safe-and-well-father-20100909-153al.html

**zannie** Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:14 pm

Sydney Morning Herald

10th September 2010

Found, but will he be a little boy lost in the court system?

http://www.smh.com.au/national/found-but-will-he-be-a-little-boy-lost-in-the-court-system-20100909-153b7.html?autostart=1

**Tezza** Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:45 pm

The Sydney Morning Herald

Father in limbo as he waits to see son

Paola Totaro, Amsterdam

September 10, 2010 - 10:36AM

http://www.smh.com.au/world/father-in-limbo-as-he-waits-to-see-son-20100910-153ix.html

cath Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:49 am

Herald Sun - ‎Sep 8, 2010

Missing Australian boy Andrew Thompson found after three years‎

By staff writers

AN Australian boy who went missing almost three years ago has been found in Northern Europe, bringing an end to his father's desperate search.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/missing-australian-boy-andrew-thompson-found-after-three-years/story-e6frf7jx-1225916285616

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ABC Online - ‎Sep 8, 2010‎

Father finds abducted son after bike quest through Europe

A Sydney man's odyssey to find his abducted son is about to end with a happy reunion in Amsterdam.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/09/3006780.htm

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Sydney Morning Herald - ‎Sep 8, 2010‎

After almost three years, missing son finally surfaces

Eamonn Duff

Almost three years after his son went missing, former NSW deputy fire chief Ken Thompson has learnt the six-year-old boy is in Amsterdam.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/after-almost-three-years-missing-son-finally-surfaces-20100909-151lr.html

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The Australian - ‎Sep 9, 2010

‎The father who never gave up

Caroline Overington

THE marriage between Ken Thompson and Melinda Stratton wasn't perfect, but it wasn't all that bad, either. There was no violence, or gambling, or alcohol abuse.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/the-father-who-never-gave-up/story-e6frg6z6-1225916733556

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The Australian - ‎Sep 9, 2010
‎
Dad searching for lost boy passed near his school

Caroline Overington

A LITTLE over two months ago, former NSW deputy fire chief Ken Thompson passed through the city of Amsterdam.

He carried an old toy fireman puppet known as Bernie Cinders strapped to the back of his bicycle. It used to be his son Andrew's favourite toy.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/dad-searching-for-lost-boy-passed-near-his-school/story-e6frg6nf-1225916757631

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DutchNews.nl - ‎Sep 9, 2010

Snatched Australian boy, 6, safe and well in Amsterdam‎

An Australian boy snatched by his mother in Australia two years ago has been found safe and well in Amsterdam, the public prosecution department confirmed on Thursday.

http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2010/09/snatched_australian_boy_6_safe.php

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Radio Netherlands - ‎Sep 9, 2010

Missing Australian boy turns up at Amsterdam school

Police in the Dutch capital have confirmed the arrest of the 6-year-old's mother, who had taken him to Europe after her divorce three years ago. Ken Thompson, the father, had been appointed the boy's guardian, but was unable to get in touch with him or the mother after their departure.

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Station.Lu - ‎Sep 9, 2010

Searching cyclist finds son

09.09.2010 - A man who cycled through Luxembourg to find his missing child has finally tracked down his son.

http://www.station.lu/?p=edito&a=external&id=68516

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Barcelona Reporter - ‎Sep 9, 2010‎

Abducted child Andrew Thompson now aged 6 in safe custody at an Amsterdam Government childcare home

Runaway mother Melinda Margaret Thompson (nee Stratton) wanted for child abduction in Australia arrested in Amsterdam on Interpol Arrest Warrant.

http://www.barcelonareporter.com/index.php?/news/comments/abducted_child_andrew_thompson_now_aged_6_in_safe_custody_at_an_amsterdam_g/

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Newstalk ZB - ‎Sep 9, 2010‎

Abducted boy found in Amsterdam

A six year old Australian boy who was abducted by his mother almost three years ago, has been found in Amsterdam.

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=182090

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Taiwan News - ‎Sep 9, 2010‎

Aussie father to be reunited with missing son

AP Prosecutors say Amsterdam police have arrested an Australian woman suspected of abducting her son in 2008, and the child's father says he is hoping to be reunited with the 6-year-old soon.

http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1370219&lang=eng_news

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Sydney Morning Herald - ‎Sep 9, 2010‎

Toy to help jog missing boy's memory

If six-year-old Andrew doesn't recognise the father he hasn't seen in almost three years, a stuffed toy will there to help jog his memory.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/toy-to-help-jog-missing-boys-memory-20100909-151rc.html

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NEWS.com.au - ‎Sep 9, 2010‎

Dad in limbo waiting to see his lost boy

Lucy Carne

TAKING his son home to Australia is a reality that is far from Ken Thompson's reach.

The former deputy NSW fire chief was told by authorities on Thursday his six-year-old son Andrew had been found after being missing for two years.

http://www.news.com.au/world/dad-in-limbo-waiting-to-see-his-lost-boy/story-e6frfkyi-1225917854540

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9 News - ‎Sep 10, 2010

Father of abducted son 'wants to help' ex-wife

By Ali Best, ninemsn

A father who cycled around Europe for three months in an attempt to find his son says he has no hard feelings towards his ex-wife, who took the child and fled in 2008.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/7959246/father-of-abducted-son-wants-to-help-ex-wife‎

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NZ- Herald - ‎Sep 10, 2010

Son found after two years

SYDNEY - Two years after his son went missing, former New South Wales deputy fire chief Ken Thompson has learned the boy is in Amsterdam.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10672261

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Sydney Morning Herald - ‎Sep 10, 2010

Father prepares for reunion with son

Paola Totaro, Amsterdam

KEN Thompson has a film reel playing in his head. Over and over again, he sees his little boy's face break into a wide grin and as he gives his dad a hug, the words, whispered in his ear: ''I want to come and stay at your house.''

http://www.smh.com.au/national/father-prepares-for-reunion-with-son-20100909-15379.html

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ABC Local - ‎Sep 10, 2010‎

Father discovers abducted son alive and well

Ken Thompson's son Andrew, now aged 6, was taken out of Australia by his mother three years ago during a custody dispute.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/09/10/3008047.htm?site=brisbane

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Epic search ended by stranger's email

Paola Totaro
September 11, 2010

KEN Thompson created a little ritual as he pedalled through Europe searching for his lost boy: 100 or so kilometres a day followed by a quiet dinner and two, small beers as a reward. On Thursday night ensconced in a small cafe off the Rembrandt Plein in old Amsterdam, Mr Thompson ordered a really big beer and swallowed his first, unforgettable swig of relief. His boy, Andrew, then 4, was taken by Mr Thompson's partner, Melinda, almost three years ago.

ANDREW JOHN THOMPSON 4 - missing from Australia (may be in Germany or UK) - 25/04/08 - Page 3 Ken-thompson-420x0

ANDREW JOHN THOMPSON 4 - missing from Australia (may be in Germany or UK) - 25/04/08 - Page 3 Ken-thompson-420x0

http://www.theage.com.au/national/epic-search-ended-by-strangers-email-20100910-15521.html

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Herald Sun - ‎Sep 11, 2010

Finding son Andrew is 'surreal': ex-fire chief Ken Thompson ‎

FORMER NSW deputy fire chief Ken Thompson says he is reassured by the care and attention his son Andrew is receiving in the Netherlands from carers and psychologists.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/finding-son-andrew-is-surreal-ex-fire-chief-ken-thompson/story-e6frf7jo-1225917851137

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The Sydney Morning Herald

A father who dared to hope - ‎Sep 11, 2010

Paola Totaro

In Amsterdam Ken Thompson explains how he feels about finding his son Andrew and explains the next steps in bringing him home. After finding his abducted ... Father of abducted son 'wants to help' ex-wife

http://www.smh.com.au/world/a-father-who-dared-to-hope-20100910-154z8.html?autostart=1

**Tezza** Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:32 pm

Interview with Ken Thompson

http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/father-and-son-reunited/x4bk2h9?ref=nf

Ken is such a lovely man and shows no bitterness towards the woman who abducted his son. Even expressing his ish to help her and enable Andrew to be able to share time between both parents if possible.

Ken held it together but started to crack towards the end of the interview.This man is an inspiration and breath of fresh air when it comes to custody battles.
He may hate what this woman did to him and to Andrew but he expresses to hate towards her herself and even calls her a good woman.

Good on you Ken! thumbsup

**Twiglet** Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:59 am

Sydney Morning Herald

12 September 2010

Kidnap mother may escape jail in new deal

http://www.smh.com.au/world/kidnap-mother-may-escape-jail-in-new-deal-20100911-1568h.html

**Twiglet** Tue Sep 14, 2010 8:17 pm

ABC

14 September 2010

Dad reunited with abducted son in Amsterdam

An Australian man who has been searching for his lost child for two-and-a-half years has been reunited with his son in Amsterdam.

Accompanied by three Dutch psychologists, Ken Thompson met his son at a facility belonging to the Netherlands' Child Protection Service overnight.

"I recognised Andrew as soon as he walked in," Mr Thompson said.

"He was taller. He had this really kind of groovy, trendy hair style, all kind-of pushed up with gel. He knew who I was. He knew I was his father but he didn't recognise me."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/14/3010773.htm?section=justin

**Twiglet** Tue Sep 14, 2010 8:19 pm

Sydney Morning Herald

14 September 2010

Morcombe group bankrolled Thompson hunt‎

The foundation formed in honour of missing Queensland boy Daniel Morcombe helped bankroll Ken Thompson's international hunt for his son.

The Australian father was finally reunited with his son Andrew, six, in Amsterdam on Monday.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/morcombe-group-bankrolled-thompson-hunt-20100914-159zh.html

**pam supportfromireland** Wed Sep 15, 2010 1:02 am

It'll be a long journey. Hope it'll all be well asap.

**Tezza** Wed Sep 15, 2010 1:35 am

pam supportfromireland wrote:It'll be a long journey. Hope it'll all be well asap.

Hi Pam,

It certianly will be a long and daunting journey from here, before Ken and Andrew can return to Australia. I hope that Ken and Melinda can co-operate and come to a binding, workable agreement is acceptable to Ken and will prevent Melinda from having to face many years in an Australian prison. At the end of the day, no matter what Melinda has done, she is and always will e Andrew's mother. What use would she be to Andrew in a prison? Ken is a reasonable man, who shows no animosity towards his ex-wife and is giving her the opportunity to co-operate. I hope that she takes the chance for her sake and the sake of her son.

Seeing Andrew again is what will spur Ken on. I'm sure that he has the backing of everyone here. I have not read a bad thing about him anywhere.

**Twiglet** Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:20 am

Brisbane Times

14 September 2010

Picking up where dad and his son left off

Ken Thompson has been reunited with his son, Andrew, 2½ years after his abduction - and all his little boy wanted to do was play puzzles with his dad.

"It's as if we just started again, resumed playing like we used to," Mr Thompson said with a lump in his throat.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/picking-up-where-dad-and-his-son-left-off-20100914-159hb.html

**Tezza** Mon Sep 20, 2010 10:58 pm

Digital Journal

20/9/10

by KJ Mullins

Ken Thompson wants answers on his son's parental abduction Special

By KJ Mullins.

Little boys shouldn't have to pretend to be someone other than themselves but for Timothy Welsh of Amsterdam that was all he knew. Timothy was really Andrew Thompson, 6, a child who had been abducted by his mother.

http://digitaljournal.com/article/297826#ixzz104PYoy2a

**Tezza** Mon Sep 20, 2010 11:30 pm

The Australian

Peter Wilson, The Australian 20/9/2010

Andrew Thompson's artworks gave him away

MANDY Welsh beams in the birthday photo as she celebrates her son Timothy turning six with a sponge cake and fairy bread.

http://findandrewthompsoneurope2010.blogspot.com/2010/09/peter-wilson-australian-2092010.html

**Tezza** Tue Sep 06, 2011 10:48 pm

Hi all,

I received a lovely e-mail from Ken Thompson today. I would like to share it with you all here.

Dear Tezza.

It is one year today since Andrew was found in Amsterdam (The
Netherlands).

I've been conscious for a long time that I received many thousands of
emails at the time & that I hadn't responded to all of them so I decided
I would begin doing this today.

I would like to thank you for your congratulations & for the support you
provided to me throughout my search for Andrew.

After a lengthy legal process, Andrew & I returned to Australia in
January 2011. Andrew is now on the road to returning to a life that is
as normal as possible under the circumstances.

I would be pleased to stay in touch & provide you with more information
if you'd like me to.

Kind Regards.

Ken & Andrew
Sydney, Australia

**Twiglet** Wed Sep 07, 2011 2:18 am

That's fantastic!!

I was thinking of Andrew the other day and had made a mental note to check up on the outcome.
I am pleased to hear that he has now returned to Australia!!! clap

**Tezza** Wed Sep 07, 2011 3:30 am

It is. it was a wonderful surprise to receive the e-mail out of the blue. It is probably a standard one that was sent out to many people but still the all the same, a nice touch. I will ask Ken to keep me informed on updates and pass them onto you. I think we should all be very proud of the part we played in bringing Andrew home. We always like to hear the success stories and thankfully, they by far outweigh the not so happy stories.

**pam supportfromireland** Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:53 am

aww that's great. Hope they remain very happy.

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