“Attention.

I’m sorry this had to happen but I am in bad need of money and couldn’t get it any other way. Don’t tell anyone or go to the police about this because I am watching you closely. I am scared stiff and will kill the baby at your first wrong move.

Just put $2000 in small bills in a brown envelope and place it next to the signpost at the corner of Albemarle Road and Park Avenue at exactly 10 o’clock tomorrow morning. If everything goes smooth I will bring the baby back and leave him on the same corner safe and happy at exactly 12 noon.

No excuses, I can’t wait!

Signed, Your babysitter.”

________

Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:

AUSTRALIA:

Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36

Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732

Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78

Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre

USA:

Distress &  Lifeline: 1800 273 8255

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741

Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233

Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846

MTC program: maketheconnection.net/resources/spread-the-word

UK:

Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393

SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000

Samaritans support network: 116 123

National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300

CANADA:

For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/

NEW ZEALAND:

Lifeline: 0800 543354

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)

CREDITS

NARRATION:

Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host

EPISODE:

Episode researched and written by Milly Raso

MUSIC:

‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com

All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn 

OTHER:

Logo design by Paulina Szymanska

RESOURCES

ARCHIVES:

The Weinberger Kidnapping – Getty Images

The History of the Village of Westbury

Chicago Tribune Newspaper Archives

• July 11, 1956
• August 25, 1956

ARTICLES:

Weinberger Kidnapping – FBI

Detective Leads Probe in Long Island’s Kidnapping of the Century – Newsday

Mark of a Murderer – Esquire

A Lifetime in a Month ­– Mark Gribben

FBI Hunt the Man in Grey – The Argus

Weinberger Baby Kidnapper, Wife Collapse on Hearing Death Verdict – Desert Sun

Kidnapped Baby Given Quiet Family Funeral – The Canberra Times

Former Detective Edward F. Curran Dies at 91 – Newsday

TRIAL DOCUMENTS:

People v La Marca (1958) – Court of Appeals of the State of New York

THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS

ZipRecruiter – Post your jobs for FREE

Heaven’s Gate – New podcast by Glynn Washington