Plantation Father Accused Of Deserting Teen Son Given Hefty Bond
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PLANTATION (CBSMiami) – A father accused of deserting his teenage son on the streets of Plantation is being held in jail on $1 million bond after a Broward County judge determined he was a flight risk.
Judge John Hurley said he was concerned after Plantation police said they arrested Bruce Jorgensen, an attorney, at Miami International Airport with a one-way ticket in hand.
Police said Jorgensen deserted his 16-year-old son Aage – kicking him out a car on a Plantation road in late December.
The teen remains missing.
In court, Jorgensen said his focus is on finding his son.
"My son is here in this jurisdiction," Jorgensen said. "You couldn't pry me away with a crowbar, your honor."
But prosecutors and Plantation police told a different story as they asked Judge Hurley to keep Jorgensen locked up on a significant bond.
They said Jorgensen – even though his son is missing – was arrested as he tried to board a flight out of South Florida with a one-way ticket in hand.
"He's just not credible, your honor," the prosecutor told the judge.
Detectives said the trouble dates back years. They allege Jorgensen took his son from the boy's mother years ago in Hawaii, leaving one day with the boy and never returning.
"Has she seen the child since then?" Judge Hurley asked.
"No, your honor," replied Detective Robert Zaragoza.
Jorgensen says he took his son years ago but it was in his son's best interest.
"It was taken absolutely for what are indisputably the best interests of the child's safety and welfare," Jorgensen said.
However, investigators said Jorgensen did not report Aage missing to Plantation police, quietly withdrew him from American Heritage School after he disappeared and exhibited other odd behavior – like having numerous throwaway cellphones with him as he tried to board that flight.
"He lives a lifestyle intended to stay under the radar," the prosecutor said.
Jorgensen disputes all of this and said he wants to clear his name.
"I'm gonna vindicate myself and I'm gonna be at any litigation this court orders," Jorgensen said.
But Judge Hurley said he does feel Jorgensen is a flight risk and ordered a significant bond with several stringent conditions, like surrendering his passport and wearing a GPS monitor.
Jorgensen's attorney, Josh Howard, told CBS4 News they will revisit the bond issue at a later date.
Plantation police said Aage Jorgensen is still missing and detectives do not suspect any type of foul play. They said it appears that he has run away in the past. Detectives reiterated that he is not in any trouble and they want him to come forward to make sure that he is okay.