Amanda HernandezReporter, KPHO CBS 5 News
PHOENIX Outside a laundromat in Chandler 51-year-old Jamie Howell was arrested for disorderly conduct, leaving her 10-year-old son Valor in the care of child protective services. Investigators said Howell had been on the run for almost seven years after taking the boy from Canada without his father's permission.
It is a lifestyle that likely took a toll on the young little boy, a counselor said.
"He is bound to have some anger issues about "Why did mom take me away? Why were we on the run like that? Why did I loose my childhood?" said Mary Ducharme, a Child Help counselor.
Ducharme has not worked with the family, but said a young child in Valor's position will face many hurdles in the days, months and even years to come.
"We would like to think that it is a dream come true. Now he is back with his dad and all is wonderful, but his life was not the normal stable life that he needed. He just saw his mom handcuffed, arrested and taken away. Now these other agencies have come in to say you are going here and your dad is going to come down and get you, but to him who is dad?" said Ducharme.
According to Valor's dad, Garrett Taylor, he's been searching for his son all this time and fighting to get help on both sides of the border to bring his son back.
However, Ducharme warns that Valor's new family members will need to take it slow not attacking him with hugs kisses and love right from the start.
"Dad is going to need some help. They are going to need some family help together to put them back as a healthy unit together. It is going to take some time for him," said Ducharme.
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