The Sons of Jim Fontes

Bobby and chris fontes — Christopher and Robert Fontes

Real Names: Robert James and Christopher Paul Fontes
Nicknames: Robby and Chris Durkin
Location: Dublin, California
Date: June 23, 1981

Bio[]

Occupation: Minor (Both)
Date of Birth: January 25, 1978 (Robert), April 18, 1979 (Christopher)
Height: Unrevealed
Weight: Unrevealed
Marital Status: Unrevealed
Characteristics: Caucasian male (both)

Case[]

Details: Robby and Christopher Fontes are the sons of police officer James "Jim" Fontes and Cathy Durkin. Jim and Cathy met in high school; two years later, they ran off and got married in Tijuana. Two years later, they were remarried in a Catholic church. Five years later in 1978, Robby was born. In 1979, Christopher was born. In December 1980, Jim and Cathy divorced, but agreed to joint custody of Robby and Christopher.
Six months later on June 23, 1981, Jim brought Robby and Christopher to Cathy's apartment in Oakland, California. For the first time, Jim had vacationed with them for a whole week; now, it was Cathy's turn. She told him that she had a busy week planned for Robby and Christopher and that he should not be alarmed if they weren't in when he called. During the week, his calls went unanswered. However, he was not concerned.
On the morning he was supposed to pick Robby and Christopher up, Jim woke up to a call from his former mother-in-law. She said she had gotten a tape recording in the mail from Cathy and her new husband, James Terrence "Terry" Durkin. On it, Cathy confessed that she and Terry had abducted Robby and Christopher and fled the area. Jim was in disbelief; he went to Cathy's apartment but found nothing to indicate where she and Terry had taken Robby and Christopher.
On August 14, 1981, the Oakland police issued warrants for the arrests of Cathy and Terry. One month later on September 23, paramedics were called to a home in Urbandale, Iowa, 2000 miles away. A woman named "Cathy Roberts" was in labor, having trouble with home birth. When paramedics entered, they noticed that there was almost no furniture in the home. They went into the bedroom and helped Cathy deliver her baby. They noticed that she and her husband did not seem very excited about the birth.
Even though Cathy had lost blood and was exhibiting a weak pulse, she was extremely reluctant to go to the hospital. However, paramedics convinced her that it was necessary. On the way to the hospital, she was deliberately evasive about her personal and medical history. Her behavior was suspicious, so one of the paramedics went to the police. Investigators found that the "Roberts" had no background. They decided to put them under surveillance.
Investigators followed the "Roberts" everywhere, even to the grocery store. They noticed that Cathy always paid in cash with large bills. When they interviewed people that interacted with the "Roberts", each witness noted that they acted suspiciously. Investigators thought it was strange that their attire indicated that they were poor, but they always paid with large bills. They were convinced that the husband was a fugitive.
The Urbandale Police obtained a warrant to search the Roberts' trash. They found an envelope with "Cathy Font-" and an Oakland address written on it. When they contacted the police in Oakland, Urbandale investigators finally learned that "Cathy and Terry Roberts" were actually Cathy and Terry Durkin. On October 23, 1981, Terry was arrested. Cathy remained free on her own recognizance so that she could take care of her one-month-old baby. Robby and Christopher became wards of the state of Iowa.
The Almadea County D.A. Robert Hutchins contacted Jim Fontes and told him about the arrest and discovery of Robby and Christopher. He urged Jim to get to Iowa as soon as possible. Jim was in Oregon at the time; he immediately bought tickets to Iowa. However, his trip had two layovers and was expected to take nine hours. Meanwhile, Hutchins contacted a Des Moines social worker; he feared the courts in Iowa would give Robby and Christopher back to the Durkins. He begged the social worker not to let them go back to the Durkins. She told him that the decision had already been made; they were going back to their abductors.
When Jim got to each airport, he made several phone calls to Hutchins. Meanwhile, Hutchins contacted a D.A. in Urbandale, telling him that Jim had a court order and urging him to put Robby and Christopher in protective custody. However, his pleas fell on deaf ears. When Jim arrived in Iowa, he learned that the Durkins had taken Robby and Christopher and vanished again. He has been searching for them for nine years. He fears that they may not even remember him due to the passage of time.
Suspects: Catherine and James Durkin
Extra Notes: This case first aired on the November 14, 1990 episode.

Jim bobby and chris fontes — Jim Fontes reunited with Robby and Christopher

Results: Solved. Within minutes of the broadcast, dozens of viewers in Albuquerque, New Mexico called the telecenter to say that they recognized Cathy and Terry Durkin. They had been living on the outskirts of Albuquerque in a trailer home. Shortly before Midnight that night, FBI agents apprehended them without incident. They were arrested on charges of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution for parental kidnapping. They were later released on $5,000 bail.
Robby and Christopher were located safe; Jim and his wife immediately went to Albuquerque and was reunited with them after nine years. They returned with him to Dublin, California. They reacquainted and began to heal the pain brought by nine years of separation.
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The Sons of Jim Fontes

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