Kidnaped 2 Years Ago : Tears Flow as Lost Son Greets Dad

A father and his 13-year-old son embraced in a tearful reunion today as they met for the first time since the boy was lured from his California home and taken on a cross-country odyssey almost two years ago.

“I never lost faith,” Robert C. Smith said after he and his son Robert Jr. walked slowly and silently toward each other and embraced in an emotional reunion at state police headquarters. The boy had tears in his eyes.

The father held his son close and rubbed his hands through the boy’s hair as they were surrounded by television and newspaper photographers.

Asked what he wanted to do first when he got home, the boy responded: “See my mother.” He also said he wanted to return to school, a place he had only been “a couple of times” since he left home.

David R. Collins, 52, the man who allegedly lured the youngster from his Long Beach home in April, 1983, was arraigned Tuesday in U.S. District Court on charges of first-degree sexual assault and being a fugitive from justice in California, where he is wanted for kidnaping. He was ordered held without bail.

Smith was flown to Scituate by helicopter from Springfield, Mass., where the family lived until 12 years ago. He then met privately with his son in an office at state police headquarters. A Hartford, Conn., television station provided the helicopter.

During a news conference, Smith advised parents in similar situations to do as he did.

“Just keep the faith. That’s all,” said Smith, a machinist foreman who constantly rubbed his son’s shoulder and stroked his neck.

“He’s a lot bigger,” Smith said of his son, who was 11 when he left home. Bobby, who has curly, dark blond hair and wore a black jacket, stood quietly, clutching and then wearing a Rhode Island State Police baseball cap.

Asked how he felt about Collins, the boy’s father said, “You probably wouldn’t put it on (the air). I hope he gets the works.”

Bobby, asked if he had any advice for other children, said, “I don’t know.” Asked again, he replied, “Watch out for people.”

Smith said he expects to take his son home in a couple of days.

The boy was found Monday by police in a bizarre twist to their investigation of a car crash that killed a Rhode Island teen-ager (Earlier story, Page 1, Part II.).

Capt. John T. Leyden said Collins brought the boy to Providence about six months ago. Leyden said the youth told investigators that he had been taken to Bakersfield and Los Angeles, Arkansas, Louisiana, Springfield, Mass., Washington state, Oregon, and Fall River and New Bedford, Mass.