Couple in court over alleged kidnap of grandson

An extradition hearing involving a couple who brought their grandson from the United States to their home in Cork was adjourned…

An extradition hearing involving a couple who brought their grandson from the United States to their home in Cork was adjourned today.

Tim and Ethel Blake were arrested in September on a warrant alleging they had kidnapped nine-year-old Dylan Benwell from his home in the US city of Chicago.

It stated the couple, from Lower Middleton Street in Cobh, had knowingly and by deceit enticed Dylan to travel to Dublin with them.

The High Court in Dublin was told the couple, who had travelled from Cork to attend the hearing, were suffering from ongoing medical problems.

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The case will come before the High Court on October 25th, and the pair were remanded on continuing bail.

The Blakes sparked widespread media coverage in November 2004 when Dylan was returned to his mother, Serena, at her home in the Chicago suburbs. The Blakes had cared for their grandson since he was two weeks old, following the death of his natural father.

Dylan's mother, Serena, later met and married John Benwell of the US Navy and moved with her youngest children to the United States.

PA