COLUMBIANA COUNTY Boy missing a year is found with dad

The father had robbery charges pending when the boy was taken.
STAFF/WIRE REPORTS
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 4-year-old Wisconsin boy missing for more than a year was found safe in Columbiana County with his fugitive father, the FBI said Friday.
Mark Samples, 40, was arrested Friday afternoon by members of the Mahoning County Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force and the FBI at a home at 31473 state Route 172 in East Rochester, southwest of Youngstown. Christopher Samples was fine, agents said.
Investigators believe the father, a former military hero, took Christopher while awaiting trial on charges that he robbed a credit union in Red Wing, Minn.
Samples, from Hager City, Wis., will be held in the Mahoning County Jail pending an arraignment Monday, said the FBI's Cleveland office, which covers the Youngstown area.
Mother relieved
The boy's mother, Jennifer Bjork, said at a news conference Friday night in Pepin, Wis., that she was relieved and in shock.
"It's over. It's over. I'm now complete," she said. "I cried for hours ... and I still don't believe it. I won't believe it until I have him in my arms tonight."
Bjork shared custody with Samples, her estranged husband, when he took Christopher for what was supposed to be a weekend visit in June 2002. He called to tell Bjork they were going on a two-week camping trip and refused to bring the boy home.
Samples was then free on $25,000 bond while awaiting trial in the robbery charges.
Withdrew plea
Samples first pleaded guilty to the May 2001 armed robbery, but he withdrew his plea in April 2002, opting to stand trial when the judge refused to grant him leniency based on his military-related mental instability and depression.
Samples was awarded the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Medal of Heroism in 1987 for lifesaving bravery aboard the USS Stark after it was hit by Iraqi missiles.
The FBI had launched a nationwide search for both Mark and Christopher Samples. Mark Samples was considered armed and dangerous.
Bjork is now divorced from Samples.