Vanished Without a Trace: The Unresolved Abduction of Reuben Bennett Blackwell II

A Mother's Worst Nightmare: The Disappearance of a Child

On May 6, 1996, the life of Deborah Tinsley Blackwell was irrevocably altered. Her three-year-old son, Reuben Bennett Blackwell II, affectionately known as "Bennett," was abducted by his non-custodial father, Reuben Bennett Blackwell Sr., from Clinton, Maryland. This act of abduction has left a family in anguish and a community searching for answers for nearly three decades.

The Days Leading Up to the Abduction

In the weeks preceding the abduction, tensions between Deborah and Reuben Sr. had escalated. Deborah reported that her husband exhibited increasingly erratic and violent behavior, including throwing objects around their home and at her. Concerned for her and her son's safety, Deborah sought legal protection. She obtained an ex-parte order requiring Reuben Sr. to vacate their home for ten days. However, she requested that the order be served the following day, allowing Reuben Sr. to pick up Bennett from daycare as scheduled. This decision would have unforeseen and tragic consequences.

The Abduction Unfolds

On the morning of May 6, 1996, Reuben Sr. collected Bennett from daycare and proceeded to Deborah's mother's residence. It was there that law enforcement served him with the ex-parte order. An altercation ensued, during which Reuben Sr. fled with Bennett in a blue 1993 Volvo 940 sedan. This was the last confirmed sighting of the father and son. Subsequent investigations revealed that Reuben Sr. had sent a letter to his own mother detailing funeral arrangements for himself and Bennett, indicating a potential murder-suicide. Despite extensive searches, no trace of them has been found since that day.

The Ongoing Search and Legal Actions

In the aftermath of the abduction, a felony warrant was issued for Reuben Sr. on charges of kidnapping. Additionally, on September 22, 2000, a federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued. Authorities have speculated that the pair may have traveled to Ohio, but no concrete leads have emerged. The case remains open, with law enforcement agencies continuing to seek information that could lead to their whereabouts....Read More

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