LPD searches for man in custodial interference case

Lebanon Police are seeking a man who allegedly took his young child to Florida against the child's mother's wishes.
While the young child is reportedly safe in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., police are still looking for Dereck Leslie Cook Jr., a Lebanon resident accused of taking the child to Florida without permission last week.
Lebanon Police Chief Scott Bowen said Cook, 24, was visiting the home where the child and his mother lived on Oct. 20. Because Cook and the woman are not married, Bowen said, the mother retained custody rights.
"The father had been at the residence visiting and told the mother he would take the child to day care," Bowen said. "But she found a note on her vehicle saying he had taken the child."
At this point police had two critical goals: to find Cook and ensure the child's well-being.
Bowen said Det. Kirk Whitefield was able to contact Cook, who police believed may have been near Lauderhill, Fla., where his mother resides.
On Saturday, Bowen said a welcome break came in the case.
"(Cook) turned the child over to someone he did not know who turned the child over to police in Ft. Lauderdale," Bowen said.
While authorities are still working to reunite mother and child, the search is on for Cook, who faces charges of custodial interference.
"We are in the process of working with the Department of Children's Services here and (in Florida) to get the mother to Florida," Bowen said. "… We got the child, so we feel a lot better knowing the child's safe."
Staff Writer Jason Cox can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 45 or by e-mail at jason.cox@lebanondemocrat.com.