Jeffrey Ford Hanson fled the United States with his year - old son Billy on a sailboat last summer . Billy was arrested in July and was supposed to be sent back to his mother in Pennsylvania on September 4 , but the boy was not on the flight . Authorities found Hanson and his parents on October 29 on the island southeast of Niue , located in the South Pacific Ocean . dean 's friends told the police that Hanson lived on a boat , was dangerous and had a history of alcohol and drug abuse . Friend Carey Jambresic said the boy could not swim and said Hanson was actively smoking illegal methamphetamine , taking oxycontin and drinking .
Jeffrey Ford Hanson fled the United States with his 9-year-old son Billy on a sailboat last fall . Billy was visiting in July and was supposed to be sent back to his mother in Pennsylvania on September 4 , but the boy was not on the flight . Authorities found Hanson and his son on October 29 on the island country of Niue , located in the South Pacific Ocean . Hanson 's friends told Seattle police that Hanson lived on a boat , was dangerous and had a history of alcohol and drug abuse . Friend Carey Jambresic said the boy could not swim and said Hanson was actively smoking crystal methamphetamine , taking oxycontin and drinking .