Kidnapped Boy Found in S.Korea, Returned to Queens

A missing 7-year-old Queens boy arrived back in NYC this week after a successful enterprise that involved the NYPD, FBI, American Embassy, a charity to track kidnapped children, and a tip to his mother's MySpace account.

Kobe Lee was kidnapped by his father, Jeffrey Salko, during a joint custody-authorized visit. Salko and Tiffany Rubin separated when their child was just four months old, and Salko was facing a six-month jail sentence for failing to pay child support when he disappeared with Kobe in August.

Rubin gained access to Salko's email accounts and learned he had gone to South Korea with their son, which cops at the 113th Precinct in Queens also confirmed. After posting queries on her MySpace page, Rubin received an e-mail tip from South Korea, saying her son was attending school there. With the help of a charity that recovers kidnapped children--American Association for Lost Children Inc.--Rubin flew to South Korea this week and was reunited with Kobe at his school. Then, after disguising him with a wig, she took Kobe to the American Embassy.

Kobe Lee was reunited with his family and relatives this week and the FBI are working with South Korean officials to have Salko repatriated to face kidnapping charges.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Dave Hogarty in News on March 28, 2008 10:33 AM

Comments [rss]

mjaeb1

You were wrong regardless you should have not taken him unless you two made a mutual agreement. You kidnapped him and no matter how you justify with the fact she didn't have full custody neither did you meaning you had no right to take him and keep him from his mother especially when she did not try to keep him from you. You deserve whatever punishment they give you. From a loving mother

mjaeb1

You were wrong regardless you should have not taken him unless you two made a mutual agreement. You kidnapped him and no matter how you justify with the fact she didn't have full custody neither did you meaning you had no right to take him and keep him from his mother especially when she did not try to keep him from you. You deserve whatever punishment they give you. From a loving mother

innocent

#4 The judge granted custody to the mother AFTER the child was in Korea so it's not kidnapping. In fact, what the mother did was kidnapping, the child is a Korean citizen, he has dual nationalities. Believe me, I should know, I'm the father.

mjaeb1

You were wrong regardless you should have not taken him unless you two made a mutual agreement. You kidnapped him and no matter how you justify with the fact she didn't have full custody neither did you meaning you had no right to take him and keep him from his mother especially when she did not try to keep him from you. You deserve whatever punishment they give you. From a loving mother

mjaeb1

You were wrong regardless you should have not taken him unless you two made a mutual agreement. You kidnapped him and no matter how you justify with the fact she didn't have full custody neither did you meaning you had no right to take him and keep him from his mother especially when she did not try to keep him from you. You deserve whatever punishment they give you. From a loving mother