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61 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, September 19, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 4, 2004 Mother charged with kidnap Grand jury reviews case of 7-year-old taken from his grandmother’s home in Medford By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune Medford police believe a missing 7-year-old boy has traveled this week from Eugene to Northern California with his mother, who now faces kidnapping charges in Jackson County following a grand jury’s review of the case. Amy Fellows Merrill, also known as Amy Eason, 26, is wanted on charges of custodial interference and second-degree kidnapping, a Measure 11 felony crime that carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years and 10 months upon conviction. Police believe Eason took her son, Christopher Merrill, from his grandparents’ Medford home last Sunday. Christopher is not believed to be in immediate physical danger, Medford police Sgt. Brett Johnson said Friday. "I am sad about (the charges)," said Eason’s mother, Trudy Merrill, who said she was relieved to know investigators believe Christopher was taken from her La Loma Drive home by Eason. "When a child disappears like that, it’s quite frightening," Merrill said. "I just want both of them to know we love them and miss them." Advertisement Earlier this week, Christopher and his mother were spotted in Eugene with Dirk Leon Friedt, 49, a friend of Eason’s. Johnson said police have since contacted Friedt, who is no longer considered a "person of interest" in the case. At this time, Friedt is not expected to face any charges in connection with the investigation, Johnson said. Police believe Christopher is now with his mother and her husband, Thaddeus Eason, 33, of Mount Shasta, Calif. They may be traveling in a black, 1980s Honda Accord with unknown plates. "We are confident (Christopher) went to Eugene with his mom, came back through here and is now in Northern California," Johnson said. Medford police detectives are working with Northern California investigators in an effort to locate Christopher and his mother. Johnson said the search is focused in Siskiyou and Shasta counties. Amy Eason does not have custody of her son. According to the boy’s grandmother, Eason is only allowed to see Christopher at the local office of the state’s child-welfare department. "(Christopher) really loves his mom and wanted to be with her for several months," Trudy Merrill said. "I think he was very lonely for her. ... I still feel we have the most stable home for him." Merrill said she is hoping Christopher returns to Medford by Wednesday, when he is scheduled to begin second grade at Orchard Hill Elementary School. A Jackson County grand jury reviewed the case earlier this week and decided Amy Eason should be charged with second-degree kidnapping and custodial interference, Johnson said. Christopher has dark blond hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. He is 4 feet tall and weighs about 75 pounds. Amy Eason is described as 5 feet 3 inches tall and 105 pounds, with blond hair and brown eyes. Police provided no detailed description of Thaddeus Eason, saying only that he is a black male. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Medford Police Department at 770-4783. Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities