Parental Abduction on Feb 1, 1995, by Nilda M. Keene, mother, of minors James Rogers Keene, 7, and Grace Josephine Keene, 10, from the home of their father, James Jefferson Keene
by James J. Keene, Ph.D., victim parent
PRE-ABDUCTION HISTORY
About 1973, while a medical student, Nilda M. Keene (then maiden name Davis-Flores) obtains psychiatric care and medication from Dr. Jose Rodriquez, M.D., psychiatrist, Dept. of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, U.S.A.
April 11, 1974. U. S. Citizens James Jefferson Keene and Nilda Margarita Keene were married in Puerto Rico, U.S.A.
After the marriage and up to the present, Nilda has shown gradually increasing signs of emotional and mental instability, as evidenced, for example, by repeated difficulties in work situations in the practice of her profession as an M.D. There is a history over years of recurring periods of mild to moderate depression; of frequent anxiety attacks with tachycardia, shortness of breath and sweating; of hysterical outbursts of screaming and weeping with delusional ideation; of suicidal ideation; of frequent nightmares where dreadful moaning and louder whines of terror can be heard throughout the house; of periods of confusion and memory loss; of various delusions and phobias; and of psychiatric care [see psychiatric records and "Nilda Keene: Personal & Family History, by James Keene, Husband," Feb. 16, 1995; 5 pages].
About 1977, Nilda Keene again obtains psychiatric care from Dr. Jose Rodriquez, M.D.
About 1983, Nilda Keene obtains psychiatric care from Dr. Luis Escabi, M.D., psychiatrist, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, U.S.A. According to Dr. Escabi, she discontinued treatment under his care before he could complete his treatment plan.
May 9, 1984. Grace Josephine Keene, daughter, was born in this marriage.
July 9, 1987. James Rogers Keene, son, was born in this marriage. Nilda lost excessive blood and required blood transfusions to be stabilized.
December, 1993. The family began residence in the Commonwealth of Dominica. At that time, James Jefferson Keene, the father, was the lawful sole custodian of the children [established by the Marriage Certificate, the Birth Certificates and the law of Dominica as summarized in a June 26, 1995, letter from Kevin J. Williams, Attorney at Law, Armour, Armour, & Harris, 15 Hanover Street, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica; 2 pages].
Early 1994. Dr. Duane Tweeddale, M.D., a Ross University School of Medicine professor, examined Nilda who reported symptoms related to fatigue and her heart. Dr. Tweeddale found nothing wrong with her heart or physical health, but said Nilda was depressed. For the depression, he prescribed exercise and getting out of the house.
June-November, 1994. Nilda repeatedly threatened to leave the father and the children. The children asked the father if he will take care of them if the mother "goes away." The father promised to the children that he "will take care of them for ever."
Jan. 22, 1995, 12:08pm, 6 min. From Dominica, Nilda calls Ana Davis-Flores.
Jan. 27, 1995, 8:20am, 10 min. From Dominica, Nilda calls Ana Davis-Flores.
Jan. 30, 1995, 9:38am, 7 min. From Dominica, Nilda calls Ana Davis-Flores.
DAY OF THE ABDUCTION
Feb. 1,1995. Nilda Keene abducts children, James Rogers Keene, 7, and Grace Josephine Keene, 10, in violation of the law of the Commonwealth of Dominica and of the United States [Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act].
At Nilda's request, Mrs. Sandra Cooles (1-787-448-3881) provided transportation with her vehicle from the children's home to her home, where Nilda made phone calls, and then to the Canefield Airport, Commonwealth of Dominica, for Nilda to take the children to Puerto Rico, U.S.A. Mrs. Cooles later said that she understood from Nilda's behavior and statements on Feb. 1 that Nilda intended to take, and did take, the children from their home and father, without the prior knowledge or consent of their father [from statements by Mrs. Cooles at meetings of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is (NSA) of Dominica].
9:53pm, 1 min. Call to Luis Davis-Flores, Nilda's brother (1-787-755-3448).
11:00pm, 10 min. Call to Luis Davis-Flores. Luis said that he picked up Nilda and the children at San Juan International Airport, and that another person named Iris (relative?) transported Nilda and the children from his house. He assumed they went to the house of his sister, Ana Davis-Flores, #18 Calle Nueva, Patillas, Puerto Rico (1-787-839-3046).
11:39pm, 7 min. Call to Pedro Davis-Flores (1-609-871-8390) trying to locate the children, and stressing the "emergency" nature of the situation.
Call from house of Ana Davis-Flores. Nilda said she and the children had traveled to Puerto Rico. I spoke with each child. Neither Grace nor Jimmy knew why they were taken to Puerto Rico. Grace said, "I would like to be home, Daddy."
Since the date of the abduction, a classical pattern of parental kidnapping has occurred in which, for example, Nilda, with the assistance of a number of her brothers and her sister, has on at least three occasions, unlawfully concealed my children from me, in addition to generally detaining them from my lawful custody [see "Family Abduction," National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 1-800-843-5678; 1-703-235-3900].
According to United States law [Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act], the Commonwealth of Dominica is the "home state" of the children, where they resided for more than six months .
DETENTION AND CONCEALMENT OF ABDUCTED CHILDREN (Feb. 2 to present)
Feb. 2, 1995, 8:33am, 14 min. Call to house of Ana Davis-Flores, Nilda's sister.
Feb. 2, 1995, 11:35am, 11 min. Collect call from house of Ana Davis-Flores.
Feb. 2, 1995, 9:36pm, 31 min. Call to house of Ana Davis-Flores.
Feb. 3, 1995, 7:01pm, 20 min. Call to house of Ana Davis-Flores.
In the Feb. 2-3 calls, Ana said, "I know, Jim," when I told her that Nilda was mentally and emotionally unstable. With both Nilda and Ana, I discussed the need to return the children to their home. Nilda often changed her justification for her taking of the children. Then, Nilda did not allow me to speak with Ana, stating that "Ana does not want to speak to you." Nilda hangs up. Except for my Feb. 25-28 trip to her house, Ana Davis-Flores, self-styled second primary caregiver to my children, has refused to speak with me, according to Nilda.
Feb. 3, 1995, 9:04pm, 2 min. Call to Errol Sealy (1-787-423-8465).
Feb. 3, 1995, 9:06pm, 9 min. Call to David Hunt (1-787-755-5364).
Feb. 3, 1995, 9:16pm, 44 min. Call to Alan Smith (home 1-787-776-6254, office 1-787-774-6845, fax 1-787-776-8900), a friend and attorney. Mr. Smith said he was not a specialist in family law, but stated that he thought that it was not illegal for one parent to take children from one jurisdiction to another without the other parent's knowledge or consent. Mr. Smith stated that he would generally consider such conduct to be "spiritually and morally wrong."
Note: In fact, the taking of the children by Nilda was illegal according to law in both Dominica and the United States. Thus, I was misadvised on the legality of Nilda's behavior. This taking of the children was, in fact, an abduction [see May 30, 1995].
Feb. 3, 1995, 10:30pm. Call from Errol Sealy, returning my call.
FIRST UNLAWFUL CONCEALMENT OF ABDUCTED CHILDREN (Feb. 4 to Feb. 13)
Day 1
Feb. 4, 1995. No answer at house of Ana Davis-Flores to Feb. 8, 1995.
Feb. 4, 1995. Message at Ross U. from Mrs. Sandra Cooles to "call her ASAP."
Feb. 4, 1995, 1:22pm 13 min. Call to Kenneth Kalantar in Puerto Rico (1-787-766-3839) who said he has been unable to reach Nilda by phone.
Feb. 4, 1995, 1:38pm 4 min. Call to Alan Smith in USVI.
Feb. 4, 1995, 1:42pm 10 min. Call to David Hunt in Puerto Rico, who also said he had been unable to reach Nilda by phone.
Day 2
Feb. 5, 1995. I travelled to Puerto Rico to locate and see my family. Paul Davis-Flores (1-787-839-6974), who lives next door to Ana Davis-Flores, Luis Davis-Flores, a relative named Mia (1-787-839-3707), and Iris [see Feb. 1] all stated they did not know the whereabouts of the children, Nilda and Ana. At about 10:00pm, Mr. Hunt said that Mrs. Cooles had called from Dominica and told him that Nilda had called her.
Day 3
Feb. 6, 1995. I returned to Dominica to continue investigation.
Day 4
Feb. 7, 1995. Call to Mrs. Sandra Cooles.
Feb. 7, 1995, 8:04am, 2 min. Call to Pedro Davis-Flores was no help.
Feb. 7, 1995, 5:11pm, Fax to Citibank Preferred Visa Card to "request that you immediately close" the account and which "authorizes you to release any and all information which...might help police to locate" Nilda.
Feb. 7, 1995, 7:30pm. Meeting of the NSA of Dominica. Minutes state "This urgent meeting was convened to discuss the departure of Nilda Keene with her 2 children to Puerto Rico... without the prior knowledge of Jim Keene." I reported the children were still missing.
Day 5
Feb. 8, 1995, 6:32pm, 2 min. Call to Paul Davis-Flores, who again said that he had no knowledge of the whereabouts of the children, Nilda and Ana. I pondered whether I should file a missing person's report.
Feb. 8, 1995, 8:30pm. Call from Nilda at house of Ana Davis-Flores. Nilda agreed to always let me know the whereabouts of she and the children, stated that she was getting medical tests at the Lafayette Clinic in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Both statements proved to be false and deceptive [see Feb. 9 & July 1]. Nilda also said the children had become "upset" on the previous Friday, Feb. 3, prior to their concealment.
Day 6
Feb. 9, 1995, 9:00am. Calls to house of Ana Davis-Flores. No answer.
Feb. 9, 1995, 9:13am, 14 min. Call to Alan Smith, who suggested I write to the NSA of the Baha'is of Puerto Rico, to seek help.
Feb. 9, 1995, 9:47am, 4 min. Call to Layfayette Clinic (1-787-850-2342) in Humacao, Puerto Rico, which is a veterinary clinic (for animals). Nilda had concealed the true location.
Feb. 9, 1995. 10:24am, 13 min. Call to David Hunt to get the NSA fax number.
Feb. 9, 1995. 8:00pm. Call from Nilda at house of Ana Davis-Flores. Nilda will not allow me to speak with the children. Nilda asked me not to phone Ana's house, and she said that she would call me on Friday night, Feb. 10.
Feb. 9, 1995. Letter to the NSA of Puerto Rico (known as Asemblea Espiritual de los Baha'is de PR, 1-787-721-6584, fax 1-787-7879) requesting help re fact that "my wife has travelled on Feb. 1 to Puerto Rico with the children, leaving our home and Dominica without my prior knowledge or consent." Copies to NSA of Dominica, Errol Sealy, Alan Smith.
Day 7
Feb. 10, 1995. No call from Nilda until Feb. 13.
Day 8
Feb. 11, 1995. Letter to the NSA of Puerto Rico requesting help regarding the fact that Nilda "will not allow me to speak with our children. The worst morbid thinking by her that I have observed over the years is now evident. She said she feels threatened and unsafe. Her thought content and preoccupations now focus on harm to herself, myself and the children, which all mental health professionals know is an ominous sign, and which, by itself, is reason to report to proper authorities and marshal professional help ... and that child welfare authorities be notified." Copies to NSA of Dominica, Errol Sealy, Alan Smith.
Day 9
Feb. 12, 1995. Meeting of the NSA of Dominica, Mrs. Sandra Cooles, Secretary (1-767-448-3881). At one of these meetings, Mrs. Cooles stated that Luis Davis-Flores was passing messages to and from Nilda, whose whereabouts was otherwise unknown and that this was the only way the NSAs of Dominica and Puerto Rico could communicate with Nilda.
Day 10
Feb. 13, 1995, 9:40am, 40 min. Collect call from house of Ana Davis-Flores. Nilda said that she will now allow me to speak with the children. Grace said that she and Jimmy had been upset and "You know, Daddy, we were hiding from you because Mom said you could hurt us. I am very sorry, Daddy. You would never do that." Clearly, the children had not been told that I had tried to visit them there on Feb. 5-6.
CONTINUING EFFORTS TO RECOVER ABDUCTED CHILDREN
Feb. 14, 1995. Letter to Alan Smith and the NSA of Puerto Rico.
Feb. 14, 1995. Chronology of abduction, concealment and detention of children by Nilda Keene covering events from Feb. 1-12, 11 pages, was faxed and mailed to Alan Smith and the NSA of Puerto Rico, and later delivered to the NSA of Dominica.
Feb. 16, 1995. Nilda Keene: Personal & Family History, by James Keene, Husband," 5 pages, was faxed and mailed to Alan Smith and the NSA of Puerto Rico, and later delivered to the NSA of Dominica.
Feb. 18, 1995, 11:23am, 3 min. Collect call from house of Ana Davis-Flores.
Feb. 20, 1995, 4:37pm, 12 min. Call to house of Ana Davis-Flores.
Feb. 22, 1995, 6:47pm, 4 min. Call to house of Ana Davis-Flores.
Feb. 25, 1995. I travelled to Puerto Rico to see and talk with my family [see March 1 letter].
Feb. 26, 1995. Grace learned that a bone feature of her nose was a genetic characteristic (I have same feature), and was not a result of "breaking her nose" as Nilda had taught her. My son, Jimmy, passed to me a note, showing that he realized that I was telling the truth. Continuing a practice from prior to the abduction, Nilda had made "the rule" for the children that they were "not allowed" to take a walk with their father. Nilda told the children that if I wanted to spend time with them alone, that meant I wanted a "separation and divorce."
Feb. 27, 1995. Letter from Grace requesting school books.
Feb. 28, 1995. I returned from Puerto Rico to Dominica.
March 1, 1995. Medical doctor informed of child abuse by Nilda. I faxed and mailed a letter to Dr. Midgoel Vazquez-Davis, MD (1-787-839-3232, fax 1-787-839-4330), Nilda's cousin, stating, in part, "Since Nilda has told me that she is getting medical tests are your clinic, I feel it is my responsibility to bring to your attention" that "Grace and Jimmy have been subjected to extreme stress...unnecessary trauma and improper child care or abuse," and listing thirteen items of "abuse." This fax and mailing enclosed the Feb. 16 "Nilda Keene: Personal & Family History" and the Feb. 14 chronology from Feb. 1-12. No reply was received.
March 4, 1995, 9:18am, 10 min. Call to house of Ana Davis-Flores.
March 19, 1995, 10:03am, 7 min. Collect call from house of Ana Davis-Flores.
March 25, 1995. Postmark of letter (received later) from Grace thanking me for sending the books, telling of activities and saying "I love you very much."
April 12, 1995, 3:34pm, 30 min. Call to house of Ana Davis-Flores. I try to recover children to my custody. Nilda said that "third parties" will have to be consulted, that a "court" may have to decide. Nilda said she had consulted with lawyers and had discussed "separation and divorce" with lawyers. I encouraged her to consult with whomever she wanted to help her to see that my children should be able to be parented by their father.
April 25, 1995. I send letters to Grace and Jimmy to arrive before Grace's birthday on May 9, with a birthday gift for Grace.
May 9, 1995, 6:46pm, 30 min. Call to house of Ana Davis-Flores. Grace's 11th birthday. Nilda said that she will tell the children that my calling "spoiled" Grace's birthday.
May 11, 1995, 2:15pm, 41 min. Call to house of Ana Davis-Flores. Nilda reversed herself at least three times regarding whether she would write to me a letter stating her conditions for me to care for my children as father. Nilda described her behavior as that of an "animal."
VICTIM PARENT SEEKS LEGAL ADVICE AND COURT ORDERS
May 11, 1995, 7:58pm, 11 min. Call to Alan Smith, who suggested that I request help from the NSA of Puerto Rico and legal advice from attorneys in Puerto Rico.
May 12, 1995. Letter to NSA of Puerto Rico requested "assistance in enabling my children and their father to meet and spend time together in a father-child relationship." Phone calls were made to seek recommendations on attorneys.
May 12, 1995, 6:29pm, 10 min. Call to house of Ana Davis-Flores. I indicated to Nilda that I would prefer to recover my custodial rights by agreement with her without resort to what she called "third parties." I again asked her to address the question of when I may care for my children.
May 18, 1995. Postmark of May 17 letter from Nilda, which contained many false statements and did not address the issue of when my children can return home.
May 19, 1995. Engaged legal services of Lcdo. William Ramirez-Hernandez and Lcda. Nora Vargas-Acosta, Attorneys, Vargas & Ramirez, Suite 1004, First Federal Savings Building, Avenida Munos Rivera #1056, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico 00927, U.S.A. (1-787-751-7485, 1-787-759-8832, fax 1-787-250-6434).
May 26, 1995. I took photographs of our home as it was left on the day of the abduction, showing the children's school desks, clothes, dolls, toys, etc.
May 30, 1995. Attorney William Ramirez said parental kidnapping is the illegal and wrongful taking of children from their home and parent without the prior knowledge and consent of the parent. He said that I should file in the Commonwealth of Dominica for Habeas Corpus to return my children to their home, and that U.S. Courts will give "full faith and credit" to a Court Order from the Commonwealth of Dominica based on "due process" and on that basis, issue a "pick-up order" for me to recover my children with the assistance of U.S. local or federal law enforcement.
May 31, 1995, 9:52am, 15 min. Call to FBI in Puerto Rico (1-787-754-6000). FBI Agent Carlos Rosario said that since I am not divorced, "parental kidnapping" law applies, that I should get a court order from Dominica and a warrant for the arrest of the abductor parent charging her with kidnapping.
May 31, 1995, 10:37am, 15 min. Call to FBI in Puerto Rico (1-787-754-6000), speaking with another FBI agent (former Kansas policeman), who said that "Dominica is where venue lies," that I could get a court order from Dominica seeking return of children to my custody, that I should request "extradition" from the FBI, that with the court order, the police would assist, and that the court order may be "teletyped" to pick up the children.
June 2, 1995. Engaged legal services of Kevin J. Williams, Attorney at Law, Armour, Armour, & Harris, 15 Hanover Street, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica (1-787-448-2350 or -2325, fax 1-787-448-6302).
June 5, 1995, 8:19am, 15 min. Call to Mike Maderas (1-202-616-3637 or -8937), Missing Children's Division, Office of Juvenile Justice, United States Department of Justice (1-202-514-2000), for help and information.
June 5, 1995, 9:38am, 6 min. Call to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (1-703-235-3900) requested help and information.
June 5, 1995, 9:44am, 13 min. Call to the hotline of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (1-800-843-5678) was recorded by them. I reported loss of children and requested help and information. They send their publication, "Family Abduction."
June 8, 1995. Postmark of hand-made Father's Day cards and letters from Jimmy and Grace Keene (received later).
June 9, 1995. Postmark of letters from Jimmy and Grace Keene (dated June 7; received later) sending their love and requesting list of musical instruments.
COURT ORDER TO NILDA KEENE
June 28, 1995. Court Order 45, 1995, No. 240. The High Court of Justice, Commonwealth of Dominica (Civil Jurisdiction), "that a Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Subjiciendum isse directed to Nilda Margarita Keene nee Davis-Flores to have the bodies of James Rogers Keene and Grace Josephine Keene before the Judge in Chambers at the High Court of Justice on the 12th day of July, 1995 at 9 o'clock in the forenoon, together with the day and cause of their being taken and detained, that the Judge may examine and determine whether such cause is legal." (1-787-448-2401)
June 29, 1995. Court Order 45, 1995, No. 240. The High Court of Justice, Commonwealth of Dominica (Civil Jurisdiction), issued a "Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Subjiciendum" and "Notice to be Served with Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Subjiciendum." The Writ to Nilda Margarita Keene, states, in part, "We command you, that you have in our High Court of Justice, Bay Front in the city of Roseau on the day and time specified in the Notice served with this Writ the bodies of James Rogers Keene and Grace Josephine Keene being taken and detained..."
June 30, 1995. I sent letters to Grace and Jimmy to arrive before Jimmy's birthday on July 9, expressing my love and hope that they "will be home again in the near future" and "As I understand things, you should be home very soon!"
SECOND UNLAWFUL CONCEALMENT OF ABDUCTED CHILDREN (July 1 to 11)
About July 1, 1995. Nilda Keene and Ana Davis-Flores took the abducted children from Ana's house in Puerto Rico to the house in New Jersey of their brother, Pedro Davis-Flores, 29 Neptune Lane, Willingboro, New Jersey (1-609-871-8390). This action concealed the children from their lawful custodian, the father. The abductor, Nilda, violated her own promise to the father [e.g., Feb. 8] and involved other family members in this deceit.
About July 8, 1995. Ramon Juertas tried to serve the Writ and Notice to Nilda at Ana's house in Patillas, Puerto Rico. The house was unoccupied. Nilda's brother, Paul Davis-Flores, who lives next door, told the server, Mr. Juertas, that Nilda, Ana and the children had gone to the United States mainland. Paul also told Mr. Juertas that he was angry at Nilda concerning what she was doing with the children. A female neighbor across the street told Mr. Juertas that they had gone to the U.S. mainland to visit a "sick sister" (Note: there is no other living sister).
July 9, 1995. 8th birthday of my son, James Rogers Keene. Repeated calls to house of Ana Davis-Flores were unanswered.
July 10, 1995. Repeated calls to house of Ana Davis-Flores were unanswered.
July 11, 1995. Call to Paul Davis-Flores in Patillas, Puerto Rico. Paul told me that he had no knowledge of the whereabouts of my children, Nilda and Ana, contrary to what he had previously told Mr. Juertas. Conclusion: My children are again missing, due to active concealment by the abductor(s).
July 11, 1995. Call to Pedro Davis-Flores in Willingboro, New Jersey. Nilda, Ana and the children were found to be there. Nilda stated that they had been there since the beginning of July, that they planned to stay there until the end of the month of July and that (contrary to her promises on, e.g., Feb. 8), she "thought I could find them" so it wasn't necessary to inform or consult me about this major change of location of the children.
SERVICE OF WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS AND NOTICE IN NEW JERSEY
July 11, 1995. Engaged John T. Kubit, Attorney at Law, B-5, Ironstone Office Complex, 520 Stokes Road, Medford, New Jersey 08055-0310 (1-609-953-5600, fax 1-609-953-3332) to represent me and to engage server of Writ and Notice.
July 12, 1995. Due to Nilda's (deceitful) move from Puerto Rico to New Jersey, the Writ and Notice could not be served. The High Court of Justice extended the date of the Writ to July 26.
July 18, 1995. Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Subjiciendum and Notice to be Served with the Writ was served on Nilda Keene in New Jersey [Affidavit of Service by Harry Depoy, dated July 25, 1995].
July 18, 1995. In a phone call, John T. Kubit, Attorney said that the server Mr. Depoy said that Pedro Davis-Flores told the server that Nilda Keene was residing at Pedro's house.
THIRD UNLAWFUL CONCEALMENT OF ABDUCTED CHILDREN (July 18 to present)
July 18, 1995. Call to Pedro Davis-Flores in Willingboro, New Jersey. His answering machine responds, but no one answers the phone. I left a message stating the contents of the Writ and Notice that had been served on Nilda, the facts that Nilda had abducted the children in violation of the laws of both the Commonwealth of Dominica and the United States Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act, that he should tell Nilda and Ana that their behavior constitutes serious violation of the law, that he should call me immediately to notify me of the whereabouts of the children, and that in default thereof, I would have to file missing person's reports for the children. Pedro did not return my call.
July 18, 1995. Call to Paul Davis-Flores in Patillas, Puerto Rico. Once again, Paul disavowed any knowledge of the whereabouts of the children and his sisters Nilda and Ana. With the close juxtaposition of Ana's house with his house next door, it is believed that he could not be unaware of occupancy of Ana's house.
July 18, 1995. Call to Ana Davis-Flores in Patillas, Puerto Rico. Nilda answered the phone. I expressed surprise to find her there, since she had stated to me [July 11, 1995] and to others that she would reside at Pedro's house until the end of July. Nilda stated she had just arrived from New Jersey. I repeated to her the above message that I had just left for Pedro and urged her to call Pedro, emphasizing the extreme seriousness of her unlawful acts. When I asked to speak with Ana and with the children, Nilda hung up the phone. Conclusion: My children are again missing, due to active concealment by the abductor(s), and are probably in either Puerto Rico or New Jersey.
MISSING PERSON'S REPORTS FOR INVESTIGATION & ENTRY INTO NCIC COMPUTER
July 19, 1995. The Missing Person's Report (3 pages) stated, in part, it was "arising from a child abduction case. Nilda Margarita Keene abducted my children, James Rogers Keene, now 8, and Grace Josephine Keene, now 11, on Feb. 1, 1995. I, the father, am a U.S. Citizen and have sole and full custody of the children now and prior to the abduction. ... The law (National Child Search Assistance Act) requires police authorities to investigate immediately reports of missing children such as this," and included detailed information on each of the "Abducted Children" and on the "Abductor Parent." The report was filed by fax with:
(1) Willingboro Police Dept., Willingboro, New Jersey (1-609-877-3003, fax 1-609-835-0938) [Incident "P952010068 assigned to Det. David Truesdell #114, Criminal Division].
(2) Puerto Rico Police Dept., Hato Rey, Puerto Rico (1-787-793-1234, fax 1-787-781-3395) [Criminal Investigation Corps., 1-787-763-8200].
(3) Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Building, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico (1-787-754-6000, fax 1-787-759-1587) [assigned to FBI Agent Steve Garrard, 1-787-277-7021].
July 20, 1995. Faxed letter to Willingboro and Puerto Rico Police and to the FBI stated, in part, "I respectfully request a full report on your investigation, statements obtained, complaints or charges filed, as a result of the unlawful behavior of the abductor(s) and the results of consultation with the prosecutor in the locality to which the children are found to have been unlawfully taken, all toward the objective of carrying out their return to my lawful custody."
SERVICE OF WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS AND NOTICE IN PUERTO RICO
July 22, 1995. Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Subjiciendum and Notice to be Served with the Writ was served on Nilda Keene in Puerto Rico [Affidavit of Service by Miriam Martinez Rosado, dated July 25, 1995]. Server Ms. Rosado reported to Lcda. Nora Vargas that Ana Davis-Flores expressed anger at her.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
July 24, 1995. I filed an "Application for Assistance Under the Hague Convention on Child Abduction" to the United States Department of State, Ms. Anita Banks, Consular Affairs Officer (1-202-647-2579, fax 1-202-647-2835).
July 24, 1995. Letter from Ms. Anita Banks, United States Department of State, states, in part, "...concerning the abduction of your children from Dominica to the United States...let me assure you that the Department of State considers international child abduction to be a serious and important matter."
July 25, 1995. Filed copies of Missing Person's Reports [July 19, 1995] and follow-up inquiry [July 20, 1995] with Police Headquarters, Commonwealth of Dominica (1-787-448-2221, fax 1-787-448-6204).
July 25, 1995. Legal opinion John T. Kubit, Attorney, regarding "Service of Process" in the July 18, 1995, service of Writ and Notice to Nilda Keene in New Jersey, states, in part, "It is my opinion that Service was accomplished under the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey."
HIGH COURT OF DOMINICA ORDERS WARRANT FOR ARREST OF NILDA KEENE
July 26, 1995. Failing to respond to the Writ and Notice, Nilda Keene did not appear with the children at the High Court of Justice, and as a result, the High Court ordered a warrant to be issued for her arrest.
July 26, 1995. Fax from Ptlm. M. Zielinski #124, Police Dept., Willingboro, NJ, Re: July 19, 1995, Missing Person's Report, Incident #P952010068, stated that Det. David Truesdell #114 "will be handling any and all investigations regarding this case" (1-609-877-3003, fax 1-609-835-0938).
Aug. 3, 1995. Call to Desmond Blanchard, Police Commissioner, Commonwealth of Dominica (1-787-448-2221, fax 1-787-448-6204), who suggested that the police should obtain a statement from Mrs. Sandra Cooles (1-787-448-3881), who assisted in the abduction of the children by providing transportation from Portsmouth, Dominica, at Nilda's request on Feb. 1, 1995. Mrs. Cooles and her husband, Dr. Philip Cooles, have also said that they have received a phone call and a letter from Nilda since Feb. 1, 1995. Follow-up letter was sent to Mr. Blanchard.
Aug. 3, 1995. News of July 26 Court Order for arrest warrant was sent by fax to Desmond Blanchard, Police Commissioner, Dominica; Ms. Anita Banks, Consular Affairs Officer, U.S. Dept. of State; FBI Agent Steve Garrard, Puerto Rico; Criminal Investigation Corps., Police Headquarters, Puerto Rico; and Det. David Truesdell, Police Dept., Willingboro, New Jersey.
Aug. 6, 1995. Wrote this Chronology: Abduction of James R. & Grace J. Keene, up to the Aug. 3 items, and sent it to the parties listed in the above Aug. 3 entry. The cover letter stated it "is provided to assist law enforcement, prosecutors and courts to investigate, file charges, make arrest(s) and act to accomplish my recovery of the abducted (and abused) children. The following persons should be questioned and statements obtained." A list of names was provided.
Aug. 7, 1995. Letter from Willingboro Township Police appears to be a refusal to search for missing children.
Aug. 14, 1995. Thank-you letter to Police Commissioner Blanchard regarding his inquiry to my attorney in Dominica, Mr. Kevin Williams, regarding the circumstances of the missing persons reports.
PERSECUTION OF VICTIM PARENT AND EVASION OF JUSTICE
Aug. 29, 1995. Received the first of several fax letters from long-time friend, Dr. David S. Ruhe, M.D., indicating that he had received information from the Baha'i World Centre that friends of Nilda in Dominica would persecute me if I did not discontinue efforts to recover my children. Specifically, his information implied that slander and defamation of me had already occurred and could result in loosing "your job and personal honor in the school, even your employability..."
Sep. 1, 1995. Dr. Philip Cooles and his wife, Mrs. Sandra Hogarth-Cooles send fax letter to the Baha'i World Centre, Haifa, Israel (See Nov. 3 below).
Sep. 10, 1995. At a meeting of nine people, I was subjected to slander and defamation by several people who all clearly and evidently received their false information about me from Dr. Philip Cooles, a friend of Nilda and whose wife, Sandra, assisted in the abduction (Feb. 1, 1995).
Sep. 11, 1995. Replying to a request from the Dominican Police, my Attorney Kevin J. Williams wrote a letter to Corporal Roberston Laurant, Criminal Investigations Department, Police Headquarters, Roseau, Dominica, summarizing the facts on the abduction and arrest warrant.
Sep. 12, 1995. CIVIL NUM: 95-0021 in the local Guayama Court. Postmark of received copy of lawsuit ("DEMANDA"), "NILDA M. DAVIS FLORES En interes do los menores GRACE J. KEENE Y JAMES R. KEENE Demandantes vs. JAMES J. KEENE Demandado," on "CUSTODIA DE MENORES," in the "Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Tribunal Superior, Sala de Guayama." The document (2 pages) states it was "given in Guayama, Puerto Rico, on July 26, 1995." However, it was stamped by the Court as being presented on July 28, 1995, 2:52 PM! This lawsuit states false information and asks the Guayama Court to grant to Nilda permanent separation, custody of the children, "Partia Potestad" over the children, that I cannot see or visit my children outside Puerto Rico and that I pay to Nilda $1,500 monthly. That is, Nilda asks me to pay for her kidnapping expenses!
Sep. 13, 1995. Call to Special Agent Raymond Lopez, FBI in Puerto Rico, who stated that he had been contacted by Tom Carl, legal attache, at the U.S. Embassy for Dominica in Barbados, and that he needs a "pick-up order" from a U.S. Court based on the Dominica Court orders.
Sep. 27, 1995. "WARRANT OF ARREST" for Nilda Margarita Keene nee Davis-Flores was issued to "All Police Officers," etc. by the High Court of Justice, Commonwealth of Dominica.
Nov. 3, 1995. Received letter postmarked Oct. 23 and dated Oct. 4, 1995, from the Baha'i World Centre confirming that the Cooles had sent to them a fax letter on Sep. 1, 1995.
Nov. 9, 1995. CIVIL NUM: 95-0021 in the local Guayama Court. Vargas & Ramirez reply to Nilda's lawsuit in the Guayama Court, the locality to which the children were abducted. This reply, "MOCION INFORMATIVA AL AMPARO DEL CONVENIO INTERNACIONAL DE LA HAYA," (3 pages) included correct information concerning false statements Nilda's lawsuit made to the Guayama Court.
Nov. 20, 1995. CIVIL NUM: 95-2426 HL in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. Vargas & Ramirez submit my "PETITION FOR RETURN OF CHILDREN PURSUANT TO THE HAGUE CONVENTION ON THE CIVIL ASPECTS OF INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION AND/OR THE FEDERAL PARENTAL KIDNAPPING PREVENTION ACT."
Dec. 6, 1995. CIVIL NUM: 95-2426 HL in the U. S. District Court. Nilda was served according to federal rules with notice of my Nov. 20 Petition for "return of children."
Dec. 9, 1995. Letter to the NSA of PR in reply to their Sep. 13 letter with further perspectives on recent events.
Dec. 13, 1995. CIVIL NUM: 95-0021 in the local Guayama Court. Nilda's lawyer submitted "MOCION EN SOLICITUD TRIBUNAL ASUMA JURISDICCION CONTESTACION A MOCION."
Dec. 17, 1995. The abducted children, Grace and Jimmy, each write Christmas cards with a letter to their daddy, myself, which were received later. As always, these were in an envelope addressed by the kidnapper and obviously could not contain any real expressions or concerns of the children.
Dec. 22, 1995. CIVIL NUM: 95-0021 in the local Guayama Court. Vargas & Ramirez reply with "REPLICA A MOCION SOLICITANTE SE ASUMA JURISDICCION Y CONTESTACION A MOCION INFORMATIVA" (7 pages).
Dec. 24, 1995. Phone call to my children, Grace and Jimmy. Both look forward to coming home with their daddy "as soon as possible, hopefully in January." I explain to them that their mother has asked others to help her decide if she should let the children come home and that I was working on getting her that help.
Dec. 27, 1995. CIVIL NUM: 95-2426 HL in the U. S. District Court. Nilda's lawyer submitted "MOCION FOR ENLARGEMENT OF TIME." My interpretation is that this aimed at providing more time to brainwash my children.
Dec. 28, 1995. CIVIL NUM: 95-2426 HL in the U. S. District Court. U. S. District Judge Hector Laffitte granted the Mocion for Enlargement of Time, "until February 16, 1996. No further extensions shall be granted."
Please see the continuation: Chronology 1996. There is lots more folks!
Copyright © 2002 James J. Keene
Please use Back on your browser to return to Missing Keene Kids.