The mystery surrounding the abduction of a six-year-old boy from Oakland in 1951 has finally been resolved after 73 years. Luis Armando Albino has been found, thanks to the relentless efforts of his devoted niece, who never lost faith in reuniting with him.
Luis, now 79, was playing in what was then Jefferson Square Park in West Oakland with his older brother, Roger, when he was taken by a woman on February 21, 1951. The woman lured him away with the promise of candy.
After his abduction, Luis was flown across the country to the East Coast, where he was raised in New York City by a couple who treated him as their own son. His mother held onto the hope that he might one day be found, but she passed away in 2005 at the age of 92, never knowing his fate.
Earlier this year, a breakthrough came when Luis’s niece, Alida Alequin, 63, used DNA testing and newspaper clippings in her quest to find him. Remaining in Oakland, Alida was determined to locate her long-lost uncle. With the help of local police, the FBI, and the Department of Justice, she pieced together the clues. Oakland police acknowledged that her efforts were vital in locating Luis.
Since his abduction, Luis has lived a fulfilling life, serving as a firefighter and a Marine, including two tours in Vietnam. He also became a father and grandfather.
Alida successfully organized a reunion between Luis and Roger, now 83, allowing the brothers to meet for the first time in 73 years. Alida recounted to Mercury News that her uncle hugged her, saying, “Thank you for finding me,” and kissed her on the cheek.
The reunion was bittersweet, as Roger had recently been diagnosed with cancer and had limited time left. “They embraced tightly and talked for a long time,” Alida remembered, as the brothers caught up on their lives, including their military service and the day of the kidnapping. Luis saw Roger one last time in July before he passed away in August.
“I think he died happily, at peace knowing his brother was found. I’m so grateful I could bring him closure,” Alida said, believing their mother would have been “very happy” and always believed Luis was alive. “I’m thrilled to have done this for my mom and uncle. It’s a happy ending,” she added. “I was always determined to find him, and maybe sharing our story can help other families in similar situations. I encourage them not to give up.”
Luis has yet to speak with the media but recalls some memories from his kidnapping. He remembers that the adults he thought were his parents in New York refused to answer questions about his abduction, leaving him in the dark. The individuals he believed were his parents have since passed away.
