In 1981, hoping to get a fresh start in life. Aubrey Loughlin had moved from New York to Houston with Chris, then six years old. Audrey's small savings had run out quickly and she couldn't find a steady. She worked part time as a waitress at a restaurant called The Calder, and she worked as a secretary one day at a time for a temporary service, but the jobs never paid her enough for food, rent, and day care for Chris.
Deborah Brown, a full-time employee at The Calder, offered to take care of Chris until, Audrey could get on her feet. Deborah had three children of her own. She had taken care of Chris before and was extremely fond of the boy. Chris was a quiet kid who liked to play with toy planes and his collection of action figures. He would not be a problem. Deborah was not much better off than Audrey, not be a problem. Deborah was not much better off than Audrey, but she did have an apartment, she was home during the day, and she seemed to be a warm and loving person who could give Chris she seemed to be a warm and loving person who could give Chris the emotional nourishment be needed during these tough times.
After Chris had been with Deborah's family for two weeks. Audrey found an apartment and a job in another part of Houston. She called Chris every night. And then one night, when she was ready to bring her son back to live with her in her new home, Audrey called and got a telephone-company recording that said the line had been disconnected.
Audrey drove to the house. A neighbor told her that Deborah Brown had moved.
"But she couldn't have moved," Audrey told the neighbor, "She has my son. Where did she go?"
The neighbor told her that Deborah had left no forwarding address.
So began one of the most challenging cases that Marilyn Greene would ever investigate.