New FBI PSA Targets Former Newton Mother Who Took Kids To Egypt
BOSTON (CBS) - The FBI is hoping social media will bring the search for a wanted mom to a global audience.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports.
Podcast
Mirvat El Nady is an Egyptian national who lost custody of her two sons after a lengthy divorce from her American husband, Colin Bower. Authorities said she used fake documents to smuggle their two sons out of the country more than two years ago, and has not been seen since.
Bower, who now lives in Wellesley, has been fighting to get his sons, 10-year-old Noor and 7-year-old Ramsay, back. He's concerned for their safety.
WBZ-TV's Christina Hager reports.
"Their mother did not have custody of the children after the divorce for legitimate reasons because she was not a responsible parent, and I don't believe she's capable of being one," said Bower.
The FBI is now circulating a new public service announcement about the search for El Nady. It's airing on radio stations across the country, and also being circulated on Facebook and Twitter. It's the first time the FBI has used social media for a fugitive search.
An FBI spokesperson told WBZ-TV the agency hopes it will spread the news to other countries faster.
"The P.S.A. by the FBI is important, because if she is outside the confines of Egypt, if she is traveling, then we have the opportunity potentially for somebody to identify her," said Bower.
Bower said the Egyptian government has agreed to let him visit the boys soon, but his hopes are in check. He has been to the country to see them 12 times, and they've only shown up three times. Their mother has never shown up, and he has always had to return home without them.
"I haven't celebrated a holiday or an occasion since the boys were kidnapped. I'm not capable of being around celebratory themes," says Bower.
Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown have been trying to negotiate with the Egyptian government to bring the boys back to the United States.
