Newstory about Moshe and Elijah 1998

Story posted Thursday, 08-Oct-98 08:45:55 - Online Athens

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Abducted children returned to state, parents jailed in Montana

By Amy Steinberg
Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY - A 21-month-old boy said to have been starving on a diet of mostly watermelon and lettuce was released to state custody, a pound heavier than when his parents allegedly abducted him from a hospital.
David Fink and his brother, Elijah Evergreen Fink - born in the Montana wilderness while police searched for their parents - were examined by doctors at Primary Children's Medical Center and discharged to state custody Wednesday evening.
"We're ecstatic to have him back," said Dr. Edward Clark, medical director at the hospital, where the children spent the afternoon. "Our team was obviously very shaken."
David's first trip to the hospital came Sept. 14, when worried family members brought him in after his weight dipped to 16 pounds. Five days later, his parents, Christopher and Kyndra Fink, allegedly abducted him from the hospital.
The parents, both 23, said David was the "Christ Child" and they gave him a limited diet to keep him pure. The FBI says he was fed mostly watermelon and lettuce.
At 17 pounds, David remains severely malnourished. He is getting liquid nourishment and also eating finger foods such as crackers, bananas and toast.
A normal 21-month-old would weigh between 22 and 32 pounds, doctors say.
The new baby, Elijah, appears healthy.
Their parents remained in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility in Billings, Mont., each jailed on $500,000 bond and awaiting an extradition hearing Friday.
Montana authorities found the Finks on Monday in a mountainous region of southern Montana called Dead Indian Gulch.
She was treated for dehydration and exposure before transfer to the jail Tuesday.