Custody Hearing Today in Case of Illinois Boy Hidden in Wall
Grandmother in case re-arrested after "GMA" interview, charged with harassment.
Sept. 8, 2009 — -- A court in southern Illinois today will begin determining custody of Richard "Ricky" Chekevdia, the little boy found hidden in a wall at his grandmother's house two years after disappearing with his mother.
It's the next step in getting the boy's life back to normal after he vanished in 2007 during a contentious custody battle between his father, Michael Chekevdia and his mother, Shannon Wilfong.
His grandmother, Diane Dobbs -- who had been charged initially with aiding and abetting the boy's disappearance --- was re-arrested Monday on a related charge.
The arrest came hours after Dobbs, then out on $1,000 bond, professed her innocence and took "Good Morning America" on a tour of the house where authorities say Ricky, 6, was hidden behind walls and in secret rooms.
ABC's Carterville, Ill., affiliate WSIL reported today that Dobbs and her fiance, Robert Sandefur, were re-arrested for harassing a potential witness after a woman called police to say the couple had threatened the life of her son.
Wilfong, who disappeared with Ricky after Michael Chekevdia won custody of the boy two years ago, remains in custody from her initial arrest on felony child abduction charges.
Wilfong made a court appearance today where she was advised of the charges against her. She is next due in court Sept. 23 for a preliminary hearing.
Chekevdia has yet to formally reunite with his son, but said he saw him from afar at a Labor Day picnic.
"I didn't get to touch him, I didn't get to talk to him but I saw him," he said. "And it's just a great feeling to see your child playing."
Dobbs told "Good Morning America" on Monday that she did nothing wrong in helping to hide her family and keep the boy safe.
She maintains that Wilfong disappeared with Ricky after police failed to properly investigate Wilfong's claims that Chekevdia has sexually abused Ricky, a charge Chekevdia has vehemently denied.
"I've been exonerated," Chekevdia said. "I have been cleared of all wrongdoing."
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