Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau announced today the indictment of a man for abducting two boys from Manhattan, transporting them to Virginia, bringing them back to New York, and abandoning them in Union Square over a three-day period.

The defendant, JOEL PROVIDENCE, 25, has been charged with two counts of Kidnapping in the Second Degree. The crimes charged in the indictment occurred from July 22, 2008 to July 24, 2008.

The investigation leading to today’s indictment revealed that PROVIDENCE, who lives in Roanoke, Virginia, was a family friend who befriended the two victims. The boys, ages 13 and eight, also live in Virginia. During July 2008, as part of a summer vacation, the children came to New York to stay with family members. At some point, the defendant called the boys from Virginia and agreed to meet them at a McDonald’s in Manhattan. On July 22, 2008, PROVIDENCE picked up both boys at McDonald’s and transported them by bus from The Port Authority Bus Terminal to his one-room apartment in Virginia. The apartment had no furniture or television, only a mattress. The three individuals stayed in the apartment for three days, rarely left except to go to a store, and mostly ate pizza.

The family members immediately reported the missing children to the New York City Police Department (NYPD). On July 24, 2008, PROVIDENCE transported the children by bus back to Manhattan. The three individuals then took a cab to Union Square, whereupon the defendant gave each boy some change and abandoned them without any adult supervision. The children eventually received assistance from the NYPD.

On July 27, 2008, PROVIDENCE was apprehended in Roanoke, Virginia. He later waived extradition and was brought to Manhattan. The defendant was arraigned today in New York State Supreme Court.

The defendant has been indicted for two counts of Kidnapping in the Second Degree, a B felony, which is punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Hettleman, Deputy Bureau Chief of the Family Violence and Child Abuse Bureau, presented the case to the grand jury and will be in charge of the prosecution under the supervision of Ann Donnelly, Bureau Chief of the Family Violence and Child Abuse Bureau. 

Mr. Morgenthau thanked the Manhattan North Homicide Squad; the 24th Precinct Detective Squad Detective, particularly Lieutenant James Molloy, Detective Chris Diente and Detective Michael Rogers; and the Transit Bureau, New York City Police Department. Mr. Morgenthau also thanked the Roanoke County Police Department.

Defendant Information:

JOEL PROVIDENCE, 12/04/82
5300 Hawthorne Road
Roanoke, Virginia

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