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In 1928, nine-year-old Walter Collins disappeared in Los Angeles. Then, five months after Walter's disappearance, a boy claiming to be Walter was found in DeKalb, Illinois.
However, after being reunited with her ‘son’ Christine Collins was convinced this was a different boy and was son her son.
Bizarrely, the officer in charge, Captain J. J. Jones, convinced her to "try the boy out" by taking him home.
Three weeks later, she returned to the cops, reiterating that he was not her son.
Despite having dental records and support from friends to substantiate her claim, Collins mentioned that Jones accused her of being an unfit mother and subjecting the police to ridicule, ultimately resulting in her commitment.
Jones then had Collins committed to the psychiatric ward at Los Angeles County Hospital.
The boy who originally claimed to be her son admitted to Jones that he was 12-year-old Arthur Hutchens, Jr., a runaway from Iowa.
Hutchens was apprehended by police in Illinois. Initially denying being Walter Collins, he later changed his response to affirm that he was.
His motivation for assuming Collins' identity was driven by a desire to reach Hollywood and meet his favorite actor.
Released ten days later, Collins filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department.
She succeeded in her legal action against Jones and was granted $10,800 (equivalent to $190,000 in 2022), a sum that Jones never fulfilled.
In 1929, Gordon Stewart Northcott was convicted of abducting, molesting, and murdering three young boys in the infamous Wineville Chicken Coop murders.
His mother, Sarah Louise Northcott, admitted in late 1928 to her involvement in the murder of Walter Collins, acknowledging him as one of her son's victims.
However, after being reunited with her ‘son’ Christine Collins was convinced this was a different boy and was son her son.
Bizarrely, the officer in charge, Captain J. J. Jones, convinced her to "try the boy out" by taking him home.
Three weeks later, she returned to the cops, reiterating that he was not her son.
Despite having dental records and support from friends to substantiate her claim, Collins mentioned that Jones accused her of being an unfit mother and subjecting the police to ridicule, ultimately resulting in her commitment.
Jones then had Collins committed to the psychiatric ward at Los Angeles County Hospital.
The boy who originally claimed to be her son admitted to Jones that he was 12-year-old Arthur Hutchens, Jr., a runaway from Iowa.
Hutchens was apprehended by police in Illinois. Initially denying being Walter Collins, he later changed his response to affirm that he was.
His motivation for assuming Collins' identity was driven by a desire to reach Hollywood and meet his favorite actor.
Released ten days later, Collins filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department.
She succeeded in her legal action against Jones and was granted $10,800 (equivalent to $190,000 in 2022), a sum that Jones never fulfilled.
In 1929, Gordon Stewart Northcott was convicted of abducting, molesting, and murdering three young boys in the infamous Wineville Chicken Coop murders.
His mother, Sarah Louise Northcott, admitted in late 1928 to her involvement in the murder of Walter Collins, acknowledging him as one of her son's victims.
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| 1,023,000 mlx | |
| 340 | |
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