Abducted boy found safe/ Mother, unidentified man arrested at

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 31, 2002 | by Eric Gorski

Landrum, Rose's husband, said Rose had a severe mood change in the past three or four months, possibly a result of the drugs she was on and the stress she was under because of the custody dispute over Nicholas.

"She wasn't the same person I fell in love with," he said.

Although Landrum recently sought a restraining order against Rose, he said he wasn't afraid of her but was afraid of the people she was hanging out with. He said he recently began divorce proceedings but still loves her.

Landrum had said if Rose was involved in Nicholas' abduction, she probably thought she was doing what was best for her son. She is willing to do anything for her children, he said.

"She loves her children - overly loves them - to where it is too much," he said.

Landrum said he isn't surprised to find out Rose was involved with Nicholas' abduction.

"I had heard her say one time that if she wants she could take the kids and never be found," he said.

Landrum said he last saw Rose a few days after she lost custody of Nicholas. He said she was angry and upset.

While waiting and watching television the past 21/2 days, he said he hoped it was Rose who had Nicholas because he knew then the boy would be in no immediate danger. He said his biggest fear was she would get away.

Rose's roommate, Bender, was thought to be traveling with her.

Authorities say Bender left Colorado Springs with her 12-year-old son, Keenan.

Bender's ex-husband, Hilary Bender, reported his son missing to police Thursday. According to the report, he said he last spoke to his former wife Aug. 17.

At that time, the report said, she asked him for permission to take Keenan to visit an aunt in Georgia and would be gone for a week.

When he contacted the aunt, she said she was unaware of any plans for a visit. Hilary Bender declined comment Friday.

- The Associated Press contributed to this report.