Hartland Dad Kidnapping Case Plays Out on Facebook

Social media has made the world a much smaller place where people can create Facebook pages to get their point of view out to the public in an instant - which is exactly what happened when with his father, Hartland dad Mark Grabowski, on Aug. 30.

Immediately after Connor disappeared, his mother's family created a now-defunct Facebook page called "Help Us Find Connor Brabowski-Cracchiolo." It's goal was to ask for tips on Connor's whereabouts and prayers his safe return. The page was removed sometime over the weekend after Connor was found in South Dakota with his father.

Hartland Patch reported that Connor's mother, Kelly Cracchiolo-Evans had commented on the page, saying her son was "not being himself," in a in which the boy stated he was not kidnapped by his father.

Now in the wake of the Friday on kidnapping charges, a page called Help Us Protect Connor Grabowski-Cracchiolo has been launched.

The page is run by John Langlois, a long-time friend of Grabowski. Langlois is also the executive director and president of Dads and Moms of Michigan, a nonprofit organization that provides information and education to parents wanting to remain involved in the lives of their children during and after a divorce. and other domestic disputes. Grabaowski and Evans were never married and have been in custody battles since Connor was born.

The page indicates that Grabowski and Connor remain in South Dakota as of Monday evening, Connor in the custody of South Dakota Child Protective Services.

Grabowski shares joint custody of 11-year-old Connor, and was supposed to return the child to Evans on Aug. 30. Instead, he fled the state, taking his son with him.

Grabowski's sister, Kris Nichols, told WXYZ-TV, Channel 7 that her brother was only trying to protect his son, and that he felt there was no other alternative.

The Facebook page's description in the 'About' section claims that Connor was being abused at home with his mother.

Evans could not be reached by Patch for comments.

Patch will continue to follow this story as it develops.