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 Entertainment | March 2006 
TV Viewers Show Compassion for Fugitive's Ailing Son
 Elizabeth Dunbar - Associated Press
| | This undated photo provided by the United States Marshals Service shows Byron Perkins, who was released from jail where he was serving time for drugs and firearms violations so he could be tested to see if he could donate a kidney for his son, Destin Perkins. When Byron Perkins instead fled to Mexico with his girlfriend, nearly 100 TV viewers of 'Americas Most Wanted' March 18, 2006, episode which featured Byron Perkins called in and offered their kidneys to the 16-year-old from Russell Springs, Ky. (United States Marshals Service) |
A 16-year-old Kentucky boy travels twice a week to get dialysis treatment while his father, temporarily out of jail to test if he could donate a kidney, flees to Mexico.
The image of fugitive Byron Keith Perkins on "America's Most Wanted" and CNN wasn't unusual, and the drug and firearms convictions he was serving time for were fairly routine.
But something stuck with viewers when they heard about 16-year-old Destin Perkins' plight. Hundreds called the TV show and a Louisville hospital to offer help. And the widespread media coverage has given U.S. authorities renewed hope that they can catch Byron Perkins and his girlfriend, Lea Ann Howard.
"What's disturbing and shocking about this case is how he used his son's illness as a means for escape," said Paula Simpson, a producer for "America's Most Wanted" on Fox. "It tugs at everyone's hearts, and it just strengthens everyone's resolve to get these guys in custody."
Nearly 100 people called the crime show offering to donate a kidney to Destin, who lives with his mother in tiny Russell Springs, a 2 1/2-hour drive southeast of Louisville. "America's Most Wanted" plans to run an update on the case during Saturday's show.
Perkins, 37, has been missing since January when he failed to show up for medical tests that would determine if he could give his son a kidney. A judge released him from jail, where he had been awaiting sentencing for marijuana distribution and unlawful transport of firearms. Perkins faced a minimum of 25 years in jail for the charges, which had been filed while he was serving a supervised release from a sentence in North Carolina for bank robbery.
U.S. Marshals say they have taken advantage of the media coverage to raise the case's profile. Both Perkins and Howard have been placed on the U.S. Marshals Service list of the 15 most wanted fugitives. Authorities are now offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to either of their arrests. They say the couple was last seen near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
"This case was elevated because of the media attention," said Rich Knighten, chief deputy U.S. Marshal for Kentucky's western district. "It's just amazing how much interest we've had in the story, and of course it's because of the little boy."
Doctors weren't sure if Byron Perkins could be a match for his son and aren't yet looking for a Good Samaritan kidney donor.
But Destin and his mother, Angela Hammond, have said they're disappointed in Perkins and wish things were resolved.
"The whole thing has been a headache," Hammond said. "I want Destin better, first of all. That's the biggest thing."
For now, Destin travels 40-45 minutes each way to Somerset for dialysis twice a week, Hammond said. Byron Perkins wasn't his son's last hope, but it hurt that his father wouldn't try to come through, she said.
"We're checking the family and hopefully someone will be a match," Hammond said.
Meanwhile, U.S. Marshals have received dozens of tips on Perkins and Howard, who are still believed to be somewhere in Mexico.
"It's just a matter of time," Knighten said. "They'll get them."
Fugitives outside of U.S. borders are normally harder to catch because marshals must rely on local police, he said.
"They've not killed anyone, they're not holding hostages or anything like that," Knighten said. Mexican law enforcement officials "have much higher priorities to take care of."
Still, Knighten said, the case has generated interest in Mexico and is on TV and in newspapers there.
"They're as much bothered by this character as we are up here, because he's done this to his kid," Knighten said.
Simpson said the upcoming episode of "America's Most Wanted" will target people who might go to Mexico for spring break.
"If anyone knows anyone going down there for the holiday, it's a great thing to pay attention to," she said.
On the Net: http://www.usmarshals.gov/ |
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