Debbie (left) and Kathy (right) reunited with Janet (center)
Real Names: Deborah and Kathleen Caruso
Nicknames: Debbie (Deborah), Kathy (Kathleen)
Location: Carol Stream, Illinois
Date: November 6, 1977
Bios[]
Occupations: Minors
Dates of birth: 1970 (Kathleen), 1972 (Deborah)
Height: Unrevealed
Weight: Unrevealed
Characteristics: Unrevealed
Case[]
Details: In 1977, Janet Caruso (later Hicks) was in the process of divorcing her husband, Philip. She was awarded custody of their daughters, Debbie and Kathy, then aged five and seven respectively. On November 6 of that year, Philip absconded with them during a visit and Janet has not seen them since.
Suspects: Philip is suspected of abducting Debbie and Kathy.
Extra Notes: This case first aired on April 29, 1985 as part of Missing... Have You Seen This Person? Special #1. Janet, Debbie, and Kathy also appeared on the May 29, 1985 episode of The Phil Donahue Show, which centered around parental kidnapping.
Results: Solved. Several of Debbie and Kathy's neighbors and teachers in Kettering, Ohio called the telecenter after recognizing their age-progressed composites on the broadcast. Philip, who was using the alias surname "Russo", was arrested and charged with four felony counts of child abduction. Debbie, now thirteen, and Kathy, now fifteen, were taken back to Illinois and reunited with Janet. Philip had previously told them that she had died.
In January of 1989, Philip pleaded guilty to two counts of child abduction. He was sentenced to eighteen months of probation.
Links:
- Missing kids come to light
- Telecast helps locate children
- Mom, 2 Kids Reunited
- 3 children found after "Adam" showing
- Mother, daughters reunited
- Daughters reunited with mom
- Artist Credited with Finding 2 Girls
- Using Technology to "Age" Missing Kids
- People vs. Caruso (1987)
- Computers "age" images of long-missing children
- Guilty plea in child abductions
- As Kidnap Case Ages, So Do Victims' Photos