For Immediate Release May 1, 2008                                  
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 781-897-8325

Arlington Man Arraigned On Kidnapping, Other Charges

CAMBRIDGE – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public that an Arlington man was arraigned today on kidnapping and other charges after he refused to hand over his 6-month-old son, Lucas, to relatives under terms of a court order on Tuesday, triggering an Amber Alert to be issued.

Michael Whalen, 42, of Arlington, was arraigned in Cambridge District Court on charges of kidnapping a minor by a relative, threats, and receiving stolen property over $250. He was also arraigned on an unrelated assault and battery charge that had been scheduled previously for a summons arraignment. Judge Roanne Sragow ordered Whalen held on $25,000 cash bail with conditions that he stay away from the child and mother.

According to authorities, a relative of Lucas Whalen was granted a Probate Court order awarding her with temporary custody of the child. When Michael Whalen failed to hand over the child to relatives on Tuesday, the family members contacted Arlington Police.

On Wednesday, an Amber Alert was issued seeking information on the whereabouts of Michael Whalen, Lucas Whalen, and Danielle Doyle, 24, who is Lucas’ mother.

At approximately 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday, a Burlington cab driver dropped off Danielle Doyle and Lucas Whalen at the Arlington police station because she had insufficient cab fare. After further investigation, police were later able to locate and arrest Michael Whalen at a hotel in Burlington between 3 – 3:30 a.m. today.

It is alleged that Whalen, following the issuance of the court order, made threats to shoot anyone who tried to take the baby away from him and also stated that he would shoot the baby and himself to keep it from happening.

The investigation is ongoing into the circumstances of the incident and into whether additional charges are appropriate.

The assistant district attorney who handled the arraignment was Samir Zaganjori. The matter is being investigated by Arlington Police and the Massachusetts State Police.

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