Paul Martikainen changes plea from NOT guilty to guilty in international kidnapping charges of his son, Luke Finch/ He faces up to three years in prison & fine of up to $250,000/ Served One Year Federal Time, Now Faces Possible Three Years State Time

FLORIDA TODAY
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091129/BREAKINGNEWS/311290003/1006/NEWS01/Police+looking+for+dad+in+abduction •
November 29, 2009


Child Missing and in DANGER!!!

Cocoa police are asking for help in locating a father who is accused of abducting his 3-year-old son today after a court-scheduled visitation.
Palm Bay resident Paul Martikainen, 36, was with his son, Luke Finch, at Riverfront Park in Cocoa around noon.
A court-appointed supervisor monitored Martikainen and his son because of the father’s history of alleged abuse against the child, according to a news release.
Martikainen slipped away from the supervisor, according to the release. Neither he nor Luke have been since around 1 p.m. today.
Martikainen’s address is 554 Fournier Street, S.W., Palm Bay. He was last seen driving a 1990s model Ford Explorer with a Florida tag of 142-KEA.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cocoa Police Department at 639-7620 and press “4.”

This is in Brevard County, where I used to live.

How did this man get away from the COURT appointed supervisor? Seriously, there is no excuse for this!!

I pray they find him and he has not hurt his son!

There is no mention of an AMBER Alert being issued in this article.

NiteSpinR wrote:There is no mention of an AMBER Alert being issued in this article.

I noticed that. This constantly confuses me. Do they feel that because the dad has him that no alert needs to be issued? IMO, anytime a child is missing..no matter what the circumstances are, an Amber Alert needs to go into effect immediately!

And, I bet you that SUPERVISOR can kiss his job good-bye. I know exactly where that park is. Right on the river..probably a really nice day and lots of teeny bikini's around. The supervisor probably got side-tracked.

I found this:



http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/mcicsearch/FlyerNewPerson.asp?Case_Id=31477&case_nbr=

How do you suppose this guy slipped away while being monitored?
makes me wonder what they consider supervising. sitting and waiting in their vehicles perhaps?
And seriously if the guy was accused of harming his son then why in the hell are they allowing him the opportunity to commit crimes against his child again?

This is sorta how I look at it.
Continuing to subject that little boy to visits with his attacker is like dropping a kitty into a cage with a mean dog. Every time the kitty gets hurt it's taken out of the dog cage. Time goes by, the dog appears sorry and the kitty goes back into the cage only to get bit again. No one would want that to happen to their pets so why in the HELL is it ok to treat children this way?

Here is his record:

http://webinfo4.brevardclerk.us/Facts/name_search.cfm

Just click on the above link, put in the name Paul Martikainen.date it back as far as you want to go. If you want to click on a specific charge (like say..the injunction for protection), do so and then on the left - click "register of actions".

It looks like up until recently there was a restraining order on him but it was dissolved.

Here are the Register of Actions on the Felony child abuse, disorderly conduct, and violation of injunction for protection.

Let me just say right out of the gate that Brevard County is notorious for dropping the ball. Many, many criminals have slipped through the cracks in this county.

As you can see, he ROR'd on the same day he was arrested. This is exactly what I am talking about. And this was recent. In February. As you can see, this case was still ongoing.

Register of Actions Activity
05-2009-MM-021621-AXXX-XX - STATE VS MARTIKAINEN PAUL
Prty Event Date Doc Seq Img Description Amount Writ Doc Deputy
D 1 02/11/2009 1 1 ARREST AFDVT: INITIAL ARREST 536
D 1 02/11/2009 2 2 BOOKING OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE 536
02/11/2009 3 CAL: INITIAL APPEARANCE
Calendar Posting on 02-11-2009
D 1 02/11/2009 4 ASM: PUB DEF APP W/CLK CIRCUIT $50.00 85
Count 1-1 ASM: PUB DEF APP W/CLK CIRCUIT
Assessed Amount: $50.00
Due Date: 02/18/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
02/11/2009 5 CR: NEW COURT DATE SCHEDULED 85
Calendar Posting on 02/11/2009
D 1 02/11/2009 3 6 MINUTES: INITIAL APPEARANCE 85
Jail 14:57
The defendant is to have no contact with, @t C.F. OR J.F.
(MAY HAVE 3RD PARTY CONTACT FOR EXCHANGE OF CHILD ONLY)
The defendant is to have no contact with, @t C.F. OR J.F.
(MAY HAVE 3RD PARTY CONTACT FOR EXCHANGE OF CHILD ONLY)
D 1 02/11/2009 4 7 CR/TR NOTICE TO APPEAR 85
D 1 02/11/2009 5 8 ORD APPT PD & ACK OF APPNTMNT 85
D 1 02/11/2009 6 9 ROR BOND 85
D 1 02/11/2009 7 10 AFF INDIGENT STATUS-CIR INDGNT 536
D 1 02/11/2009 11 BOND POSTED
D 1 02/13/2009 1 BOND POSTED $6,000.00
D 1 02/17/2009 8 1 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (CR/TR) 72
D 1 02/17/2009 9 2 SURETY BOND 356
02/18/2009 10 1 NTC OF COURT DATE CANCELLATION 560
A NEW COURT DATE WILL BE SET AND ALL PARTIES NOTIFIED WHEN
THE STATE FILES AN INFORMATION IN THIS CASE.
D 1 03/12/2009 1 CAL: ARRAIGNMENT 85
Calendar Posting on 02/11/2009
03/12/2009 2 CR: ARRAIGNMENT CANCELED
CASE RESULTED PROGRAMMATICALLY
P 1 03/13/2009 11 1 INFORMATION NO SUMMONS 622
03/13/2009 2 TRANSFER OF CASE JURISDICTION 622
03/13/2009 3 CASE TRANSFERRED ORIG PENDING 622
03/13/2009 4 RSGN: REDUCTION/UPGRADE
03/16/2009 12 1 NTC TO APP FOR DOCKET SOUNDING 622
P 1 04/07/2009 13 1 RSP NTC DSCVY/DMND CLAIM ALIBI 72
04/14/2009 1 CAL: DOCKET SOUNDING
Calendar Posting on 03-16-2009
04/14/2009 2 CR: NEW COURT DATE SCHEDULED 837
Calendar Posting on 04/14/2009
D 1 04/14/2009 14 3 MINUTES: DOCKET SOUNDING 837
V3C 17:26
D 1 04/14/2009 15 4 CR/TR NOTICE TO APPEAR 837
D 1 04/21/2009 1 CAL: PRETRIAL CONFERENCE 837
Calendar Posting on 04/14/2009
04/21/2009 2 CR: NEW COURT DATE SCHEDULED 183
Calendar Posting on 04/21/2009
D 1 04/21/2009 16 3 MINUTES: PRETRIAL CONF 183
V3C 10:28
D 1 04/21/2009 17 4 CR/TR NOTICE TO APPEAR 183
P 1 04/24/2009 18 1 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 96
P 1 04/24/2009 19 2 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 96
D 1 04/28/2009 1 CAL: JURY TRIAL 183
Calendar Posting on 04/21/2009
04/28/2009 2 CR: NEW COURT DATE SCHEDULED
Calendar Posting on 05-01-2009
D 1 04/28/2009 20 3 MINUTES: JURY TRIAL 72
DIGITAL REC UNIT #/DIGITAL REC TIME:2009 V3C 856
PRESIDING JUDGE:KM
DEFENDANT PRESENT
05/21/2009 1 CAL: PRETRIAL CONFERENCE
Calendar Posting on 05-01-2009
05/21/2009 2 CR: NEW COURT DATE SCHEDULED 990
Calendar Posting on 05/21/2009
D 1 05/21/2009 21 3 MINUTES: PRETRIAL CONF 990
V3C 12:09
D 1 05/21/2009 22 4 CR/TR NOTICE TO APPEAR 990
D 1 05/21/2009 23 5 ORDER RE: INDIGENT STATUS (CR) 990
P 1 05/21/2009 24 6 NTC EXPIRATION SPEEDY TRIAL 96
05/22/2009 1 CAL: HEARING
Calendar Posting on 05-22-2009
05/22/2009 2 CR: HEARD 990
Calendar Posting on 05/22/2009
D 1 05/22/2009 25 3 MINUTES: HEARING 990
V3C 09:50
Case to remain as previously set for (JURY TRIAL, 6-4-09 @
9:00 A.M., DIV. 5, JUDGE MCKIBBEN)
CALENDAR CALL HELD THIS MORNING ON THE DEFENSE'S NOTICE OF
EXPIRATION OF SPEEDY TRIAL TIME.
P 1 05/28/2009 26 1 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 569
P 1 06/03/2009 27 1 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 542
D 1 06/04/2009 1 CAL: JURY TRIAL 990
Calendar Posting on 05/21/2009
D 1 06/04/2009 28 2 EXHIBIT LIST 183
D 1 06/04/2009 29 3 PLEA AGREEMENT 183
D 1 06/04/2009 4 PLEA: NOLO CONTENDERE 183
D 1 06/04/2009 5 DISPO: ADJUDICATION WITHHELD 183
Disposition Code: W
D 1 06/04/2009 6 ASM: CRIM JUST W/CLK COUNTY $50.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: CRIM JUST W/CLK COUNTY
Assessed Amount: $50.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
D 1 06/04/2009 7 ASM: STATE GEN CLERK TF COUNTY $10.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: STATE GEN CLERK TF COUNTY
Assessed Amount: $10.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
D 1 06/04/2009 8 ASM: ADDL COURT FUND COUNTY $65.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: ADDL COURT FUND COUNTY
Assessed Amount: $65.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
D 1 06/04/2009 9 ASM: BREV POLICE TEST COUNTY $3.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: BREV POLICE TEST COUNTY
Assessed Amount: $3.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
D 1 06/04/2009 10 ASM: TEEN COURT W/CLK COUNTY $3.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: TEEN COURT W/CLK COUNTY
Assessed Amount: $3.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
D 1 06/04/2009 11 ASM: CRIMES COMP W/CLK COUNTY $50.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: CRIMES COMP W/CLK COUNTY
Assessed Amount: $50.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
D 1 06/04/2009 12 ASM: F/J ATTY FEE CO 070103 $50.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: F/J ATTY FEE CO 070103
Assessed Amount: $50.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
D 1 06/04/2009 13 ASM: COP PROSECUTE COUNTY $50.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: COP PROSECUTE COUNTY
Assessed Amount: $50.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
06/04/2009 14 CR: HEARD 183
Calendar Posting on 06/04/2009
D 1 06/04/2009 30 15 MINUTES: JURY TRIAL 183
V3C 14:54
THIS CASE STARTED OUT AS A TRIAL; HOWEVER, DEFENDANT
DECIDED TO PLEA.
FOLLOW ANY AND ALL INJUNCTIONS.
D 1 06/04/2009 31 16 ER: ORD FINE/COST/FEE CVL LIEN 210
$50 PUBLIC DEFENDER LIEN
06/04/2009 17 CERTIFICATE OF DISCHARGE ISSD 900
Bond Number: AS15308864
06/04/2009 18 CRIM/TRAF/JUV ORIG DISPOSITION
D 1 06/04/2009 32 19 TYPED CRIMINAL MINUTES 210
D 1 06/04/2009 33 20 JURY/PANEL SEATING CHART 210
D 1 06/04/2009 34 21 JURY/PANEL SEATING CHART 210
D 1 06/04/2009 22 SRS - JURY TRIAL CONDUCTED 212
D 1 11/19/2009 35 1 SUSP NOTICE CRIMINAL OFFENSE 741
MUST COMPLY BY 12/21/2009
TOTAL AMOUNT DUE ON CASE: $288.00
D 1 11/19/2009 2 ASM: CO PREP OF DOCUMENT

oh yeah... Great FATHER Material!

This is a new angry smiley replacing the old one.

Missing Child Alert Issued For Cocoa Boy, 3
Police Suspect Parental Abduction; Search To Go Statewide

POSTED: 12:19 pm EST November 29, 2009
UPDATED: 1:43 pm EST November 29, 2009

COCOA, Fla. -- Authorities have issued a Missing Child Alert for a 3-year-old boy in what they say may be a case of parental abduction.

The Cocoa Police Department identified the missing boy as Luke Finch. He stands about 2 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 33 pounds and has blond hair and blue eyes.

The boy was last seen in the area of Taylor Park at Harrison and Delannoy streets in Cocoa, wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue pants and black and red fire engine sneakers.

The child may be in the company of Paul Martikainen, 35, and the pair may be traveling in a green Ford Explorer with a dented rear bumper and tag number 142KEA, police said.

Martikainen is described as a white male, standing 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 176 pounds, with blond hair and green eyes.

Barbara Matthews, Cocoa Police public information officer, said investigators were meeting with agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to expand the search statewide.

"Investigators have received several tips and sightings of Luke," said Matthews. "However, those sightings have been outside of Brevard County."

Anyone with information regarding the location of the boy is asked to contact the Cocoa Police Department at 321-639-7620.

http://www.wesh.com/news/21752952/detail.html

Of course he is out of Brevard County. Drive for 23 miles and your in Orange County. I bet he swung right into Orlando and is now in a County like Putnum where it's out in the boondocks and nothing but woods.

Missing Child Alert Issued for Three Year Old Luke Finch
Posted on November 29th, 2009
by Jan Barrett

A statewide Missing Child’s Alert was issued to help locate a three year old boy that disappeared while at the Riverfront Park in Cocoa, Florida Saturday around noon.

The boy’s father, Paul Martikainen, 35 has court appointed supervised visitation with his son after there were previous child abuse allegations involving the boy. According to the reports Martikainen managed to slip away with his son while on one of the supervised visits at the park.

Cocoa Police Department describe little Luke as standing about 2’9” tall, weighing 33 lbs. and he has blond hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue pants and black and red fire engine sneakers.

lukes-father.jpgMartikainen is a white mail, standing about 5’11” tall and he weighs 176 lbs. He has blond hair and green eyes. He may be driving a green Ford Explorer that has a dent in the rear bumper. The tag number is 143KEA.

Cocoa Police public information officer, Barbara Matthews said that the investigators were meeting with agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to widen their search statewide. “Investigators have received several tips and sightings of Luke,” she said. “However those sightings have been outside of Brevard County.”

Anyone with information regarding the location of the boy is asked to contact the Cocoa Police Department at 321-639-7620.

I pray that little Luke Finch is found soon and that he is safe and unharmed. This is another fine example of how screwed up our laws are. If the allegations against this man are true he should never have been given visitation rights with his son. This proves that a child isn’t safe even during supervised visitation. If a parent has been abusive towards their child, whether it be the father or the mother, they should be kept away from that child forever after that. Visitation should be automatically taken away from them.

Please continue praying for all these children along with their families that love them also. Here is my list of children to pray for plus so many more that is not on my list, Caylee Anthony (found dead), Adji Desir (remains missing), Haleigh Cummings (remains missing), Somer Thompson (found dead), Elizabeth Olten (found dead) , Masaraha Ross (remains missing), Alex Mercado (drowned) Rebecca Marie Allen (found alive), Sandra Cantu (found dead), Anthony Holland (found alive), Shaniya Davis (found dead), Hassani Campbell (remains missing), Giovanni Gonzalez (reported dead), Neveah Buchanen ( found dead) and Shannon Dedrick (found alive), Angel Miguel Perez (found safe) Luis Martinez (found dead) and now Luke Finch (still missing).

Jan Barrett

http://www.bloggernews.net/123134

Police: Dad and abducted son set sail
FLORIDA TODAY • NOVEMBER 29, 2009

Investigators believe a Palm Bay father abducted his 3-year-old son from a Cocoa park Saturday afternoon, drove to a St. Petersburg marina, boarded a sailboat and fled to an unknown location.

Witnesses who saw Paul Martikainen, 36, and son Luke Finch on the news Saturday night called police and reported they had seen the duo board a 32-foot Bristol sailboat and leave the marina, Cocoa police spokeswoman Barbara Matthews said.

Police responded to the marina and found Martikainen’s green 1995 Ford Explorer, according to a press release.

Investigators determined that one of Martikainen’s friends bought the sailboat in October, and the vessel remains unregistered. Moreover, the boat was recently painted battleship gray, Matthews said — possibly to conceal identifying numbers and to camouflage the craft on the ocean.

Martikainen has no known extensive boating experience, Matthews said. Cocoa detectives are working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, U.S. Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies to locate the boat.

Martikainen took Finch from Riverfront Park in Cocoa during a court-scheduled visitation, police said. A court-appointed supervisor monitored the pair because of the father’s history of alleged abuse against the child, according to a news release — but they slipped away undetected.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cocoa Police Department at 639-7620 and press “4.”

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091129/BREAKINGNEWS/311290003/Police-Dad-and-abducted-son-set-sail

luckily the allegations aren't true and all charges against him have been dropped because they weren't true. I sincerely pray for their safety. The father just wanted to see his son. Like a normal parent. You should visit web blogger to see the discussions. The mother has domestic violence on her record. i sincerely don't condone kidnapping a child but you know what?-What would you do if someone could keep saying things against you to prevent you from seeing your child???? what would you do after 2 years of it? now how about 10 years?? how long could you have someone dictate to you when where and how long you could see your child???? and try to make a case against you??? and have people rip into you and cast stones when they don't know you??? all these charges that people keep bringing up is stupid. there's like 2 and both were dismissed because they weren't true. Hello? anyone ever say anything about you that wasn't true. ? How would you like it recorded and let everyone judge you for something someone "said".? something should really be done about these women who push to make a case for their own power trip. They push for this drama. And before i get hammered for this blog i just want to say-i'm sorry to those women who genuinely don't deserve this kind of thing. but there are those who just don't want the father around because they want the control to make that decision. and use the courts as a means to enforce it. There is so much more to this story than you people know. But believe what you want as the blind lead the blind.

SAD, do you personally know this guy or the wife?

I hear what you are saying but unless you personally know one or both, how can you make these allegations with such surety?

Have you looked up this mans entire record? What is his wives name? This is the county I lived in for 14 years. I know it well and I know how Brevard drops the ball on these cases. You are saying the wife has a record. OK. Maybe she does and maybe you are correct. I will look by last name only as this is NOT a common name and see if I find anything on her.

If it is fact that this man has never layed a hand on his child and the wife is at fault, I wonder why he had supervised visitation.

Please don't get upset. I like the fact that you are giving another POV.

I just looked it up in Brevard County by last name only and found NO record for anyone but Paul. Could the wife go by a different last name and/or have charges in another county, SAD??

Wrapitup wrote:Here are the Register of Actions on the Felony child abuse, disorderly conduct, and violation of injunction for protection.

Let me just say right out of the gate that Brevard County is notorious for dropping the ball. Many, many criminals have slipped through the cracks in this county.

As you can see, he ROR'd on the same day he was arrested. This is exactly what I am talking about. And this was recent. In February. As you can see, this case was still ongoing.

Register of Actions Activity
05-2009-MM-021621-AXXX-XX - STATE VS MARTIKAINEN PAUL
Prty Event Date Doc Seq Img Description Amount Writ Doc Deputy
D 1 02/11/2009 1 1 ARREST AFDVT: INITIAL ARREST 536
D 1 02/11/2009 2 2 BOOKING OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE 536
02/11/2009 3 CAL: INITIAL APPEARANCE
Calendar Posting on 02-11-2009
D 1 02/11/2009 4 ASM: PUB DEF APP W/CLK CIRCUIT $50.00 85
Count 1-1 ASM: PUB DEF APP W/CLK CIRCUIT
Assessed Amount: $50.00
Due Date: 02/18/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
02/11/2009 5 CR: NEW COURT DATE SCHEDULED 85
Calendar Posting on 02/11/2009
D 1 02/11/2009 3 6 MINUTES: INITIAL APPEARANCE 85
Jail 14:57
The defendant is to have no contact with, @t C.F. OR J.F.
(MAY HAVE 3RD PARTY CONTACT FOR EXCHANGE OF CHILD ONLY)
The defendant is to have no contact with, @t C.F. OR J.F.
(MAY HAVE 3RD PARTY CONTACT FOR EXCHANGE OF CHILD ONLY)
D 1 02/11/2009 4 7 CR/TR NOTICE TO APPEAR 85
D 1 02/11/2009 5 8 ORD APPT PD & ACK OF APPNTMNT 85
D 1 02/11/2009 6 9 ROR BOND 85
D 1 02/11/2009 7 10 AFF INDIGENT STATUS-CIR INDGNT 536
D 1 02/11/2009 11 BOND POSTED
D 1 02/13/2009 1 BOND POSTED $6,000.00
D 1 02/17/2009 8 1 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE (CR/TR) 72
D 1 02/17/2009 9 2 SURETY BOND 356
02/18/2009 10 1 NTC OF COURT DATE CANCELLATION 560
A NEW COURT DATE WILL BE SET AND ALL PARTIES NOTIFIED WHEN
THE STATE FILES AN INFORMATION IN THIS CASE.
D 1 03/12/2009 1 CAL: ARRAIGNMENT 85
Calendar Posting on 02/11/2009
03/12/2009 2 CR: ARRAIGNMENT CANCELED
CASE RESULTED PROGRAMMATICALLY
P 1 03/13/2009 11 1 INFORMATION NO SUMMONS 622
03/13/2009 2 TRANSFER OF CASE JURISDICTION 622
03/13/2009 3 CASE TRANSFERRED ORIG PENDING 622
03/13/2009 4 RSGN: REDUCTION/UPGRADE
03/16/2009 12 1 NTC TO APP FOR DOCKET SOUNDING 622
P 1 04/07/2009 13 1 RSP NTC DSCVY/DMND CLAIM ALIBI 72
04/14/2009 1 CAL: DOCKET SOUNDING
Calendar Posting on 03-16-2009
04/14/2009 2 CR: NEW COURT DATE SCHEDULED 837
Calendar Posting on 04/14/2009
D 1 04/14/2009 14 3 MINUTES: DOCKET SOUNDING 837
V3C 17:26
D 1 04/14/2009 15 4 CR/TR NOTICE TO APPEAR 837
D 1 04/21/2009 1 CAL: PRETRIAL CONFERENCE 837
Calendar Posting on 04/14/2009
04/21/2009 2 CR: NEW COURT DATE SCHEDULED 183
Calendar Posting on 04/21/2009
D 1 04/21/2009 16 3 MINUTES: PRETRIAL CONF 183
V3C 10:28
D 1 04/21/2009 17 4 CR/TR NOTICE TO APPEAR 183
P 1 04/24/2009 18 1 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 96
P 1 04/24/2009 19 2 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 96
D 1 04/28/2009 1 CAL: JURY TRIAL 183
Calendar Posting on 04/21/2009
04/28/2009 2 CR: NEW COURT DATE SCHEDULED
Calendar Posting on 05-01-2009
D 1 04/28/2009 20 3 MINUTES: JURY TRIAL 72
DIGITAL REC UNIT #/DIGITAL REC TIME:2009 V3C 856
PRESIDING JUDGE:KM
DEFENDANT PRESENT
05/21/2009 1 CAL: PRETRIAL CONFERENCE
Calendar Posting on 05-01-2009
05/21/2009 2 CR: NEW COURT DATE SCHEDULED 990
Calendar Posting on 05/21/2009
D 1 05/21/2009 21 3 MINUTES: PRETRIAL CONF 990
V3C 12:09
D 1 05/21/2009 22 4 CR/TR NOTICE TO APPEAR 990
D 1 05/21/2009 23 5 ORDER RE: INDIGENT STATUS (CR) 990
P 1 05/21/2009 24 6 NTC EXPIRATION SPEEDY TRIAL 96
05/22/2009 1 CAL: HEARING
Calendar Posting on 05-22-2009
05/22/2009 2 CR: HEARD 990
Calendar Posting on 05/22/2009
D 1 05/22/2009 25 3 MINUTES: HEARING 990
V3C 09:50
Case to remain as previously set for (JURY TRIAL, 6-4-09 @
9:00 A.M., DIV. 5, JUDGE MCKIBBEN)
CALENDAR CALL HELD THIS MORNING ON THE DEFENSE'S NOTICE OF
EXPIRATION OF SPEEDY TRIAL TIME.
P 1 05/28/2009 26 1 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 569
P 1 06/03/2009 27 1 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY 542
D 1 06/04/2009 1 CAL: JURY TRIAL 990
Calendar Posting on 05/21/2009
D 1 06/04/2009 28 2 EXHIBIT LIST 183
D 1 06/04/2009 29 3 PLEA AGREEMENT 183
D 1 06/04/2009 4 PLEA: NOLO CONTENDERE 183
D 1 06/04/2009 5 DISPO: ADJUDICATION WITHHELD 183
Disposition Code: W
D 1 06/04/2009 6 ASM: CRIM JUST W/CLK COUNTY $50.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: CRIM JUST W/CLK COUNTY
Assessed Amount: $50.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
D 1 06/04/2009 7 ASM: STATE GEN CLERK TF COUNTY $10.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: STATE GEN CLERK TF COUNTY
Assessed Amount: $10.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
D 1 06/04/2009 8 ASM: ADDL COURT FUND COUNTY $65.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: ADDL COURT FUND COUNTY
Assessed Amount: $65.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
D 1 06/04/2009 9 ASM: BREV POLICE TEST COUNTY $3.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: BREV POLICE TEST COUNTY
Assessed Amount: $3.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
D 1 06/04/2009 10 ASM: TEEN COURT W/CLK COUNTY $3.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: TEEN COURT W/CLK COUNTY
Assessed Amount: $3.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
D 1 06/04/2009 11 ASM: CRIMES COMP W/CLK COUNTY $50.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: CRIMES COMP W/CLK COUNTY
Assessed Amount: $50.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
D 1 06/04/2009 12 ASM: F/J ATTY FEE CO 070103 $50.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: F/J ATTY FEE CO 070103
Assessed Amount: $50.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
D 1 06/04/2009 13 ASM: COP PROSECUTE COUNTY $50.00 183
Count 2-1 ASM: COP PROSECUTE COUNTY
Assessed Amount: $50.00
Due Date: 10/05/2009
Event posted by CSI InCourt
06/04/2009 14 CR: HEARD 183
Calendar Posting on 06/04/2009
D 1 06/04/2009 30 15 MINUTES: JURY TRIAL 183
V3C 14:54
THIS CASE STARTED OUT AS A TRIAL; HOWEVER, DEFENDANT
DECIDED TO PLEA.
FOLLOW ANY AND ALL INJUNCTIONS.
D 1 06/04/2009 31 16 ER: ORD FINE/COST/FEE CVL LIEN 210
$50 PUBLIC DEFENDER LIEN
06/04/2009 17 CERTIFICATE OF DISCHARGE ISSD 900
Bond Number: AS15308864
06/04/2009 18 CRIM/TRAF/JUV ORIG DISPOSITION
D 1 06/04/2009 32 19 TYPED CRIMINAL MINUTES 210
D 1 06/04/2009 33 20 JURY/PANEL SEATING CHART 210
D 1 06/04/2009 34 21 JURY/PANEL SEATING CHART 210
D 1 06/04/2009 22 SRS - JURY TRIAL CONDUCTED 212
D 1 11/19/2009 35 1 SUSP NOTICE CRIMINAL OFFENSE 741
MUST COMPLY BY 12/21/2009
TOTAL AMOUNT DUE ON CASE: $288.00
D 1 11/19/2009 2 ASM: CO PREP OF DOCUMENT

I don't see any charged dropped I see a plea. Tell us more about this "sad". It is clear you are close to someone personally involved to assume or know these things. I pray this little boy is safe.

SAD
You've given us the impression that you may know this man or have connections with him somehow.
(We are all connected to someone in round about ways.)
If you do in fact have the means to communicate with Paul, you should urge him to do the right thing and return his child before the situation continues to escalate.

FBI joins hunt for missing father, son
Man sought in parental-custody case
BY RICK NEALE, JIM WAYMER AND KEYONNA SUMMERS • FLORIDA TODAY • NOVEMBER 30, 2009

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is joining the search for a Cocoa man accused this weekend of abducting his 3-year-old son during a court-supervised visit, then setting sail on a friend’s boat off a St. Petersburg marina.

Cocoa Police Department spokeswoman Barbara Matthews said the FBI is preparing an “Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution” warrant for 35-year-old Paul Martikainen.

Witnesses who saw Martikainen and son Luke Finch on the news Saturday night called police and reported they had seen them take a dinghy out to a 32-foot Bristol sailboat at about 4 p.m. at a St. Petersburg marina, Cocoa police said.

Police in Cocoa said Saturday that Martikainen disappeared with his son from a supervised visit in a Cocoa park.

St. Petersburg police responded to the Salt Creek Marine Center and found Martikainen’s green 1995 Ford Explorer.

In a statement issued today, Matthews said police are seeking a warrant to search the vehicle.

The U.S. Coast Guard is broadcasting an announcement each hour on the marine emergency channel, while authorities attempt to locate the vessel, which witnesses reportedly saw towing a skiff behind it, police said.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children will disseminate flyers tonight in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area.

Investigators determined that one of Martikainen’s friends bought the sailboat in October and the vessel remains unregistered. The boat was recently painted battleship gray, possibly to conceal identifying numbers and to camouflage the craft while under way, Cocoa Police spokeswoman Barbara Matthews said.

Martikainen has no known extensive boating experience, Matthews said. “We’re not sure he has a destination in mind,” she said. “We don’t know where he’s going, where he’s taking the child. He’s certainly not an experienced sailor, which is a concern.”

Cocoa detectives are working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, U.S. Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies to find the boat.

“It’s a huge search area,” Matthews said. “That area is absolutely flooded with boats that are now winter residents.”

A court-appointed supervisor monitored the pair because of the father’s history of alleged abuse against the child, police said. But they slipped away undetected.

“I don’t know what the circumstances were,” Matthews said.

“The concern is that he’s not supposed to have the child,” she said. “His visitation is supposed to be supervised, so yes, we are concerned.

video here:

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091130/NEWS01/91130002/FBI-joins-hunt-for-missing-father-son

nitespinr good post. Yes urge the Father to bring his Son back.

A court-appointed supervisor monitored the pair because of the father’s history of alleged abuse against the child, police said. But they slipped away undetected.

If the abuse is only alleged then what does the Father have to worry about?

This is extremely serious as it has to do with searching the ocean. Painting the ship gray was planned. I pray the Coast Guard is able to spot this boat and this boy is safe.

SAD, this man has now commited a felony. I respect what you said and it is evident you know this man.
But nitespinner is correct. This boy needs to come home. NOW. Your friend or relative did NOT go about this the correct way, no matter if he was a stellar father.

Nothing about Paul Martikainen seemed suspicious when he showed up in St. Petersburg nearly two months ago to retrieve a boat a friend purchased.

The 35-year-old Palm Bay man made friends with other Salt Creek Marina boat owners, sharing beer and doughnuts as he lived on the sailboat while refurbishing it. He spoke fondly of his son and asked about basic boating tips, the boaters recall.

He certainly didn't seem like the kind of guy who would abduct his 3-year-old son and take off with him in the boat, braving the Gulf of Mexico with no sailing experience. But that's what authorities accuse Martikainen of doing after escaping a supervised visit with the boy at a Cocoa park on Saturday.
About 4 p.m. that Saturday — a few hours after Martikainen left the park — Gabriel Guzman and Sam Mageramov saw Martikainen sailing away from Salt Creek Marina.

As he was leaving, a dinghy attached to Martikainen's boat came loose, they said. They helped him tie it back to his boat — not knowing what the man on the boat was accused of doing.

At one point the boy emerged from inside the boat, Guzman said, but Martikainen told him to go back. The boy didn't seem scared, Guzman said.

"We should have saved the boy," Guzman said. "We could have saved him had we known."

In recent weeks, Guzman said, Martikainen started asking basic boating questions, such as how to tie certain types of knots.

Debra Van Skiver, who works for Neptune Towing and Recovery near the marina, said she sold the 1977 32-foot Bristol to Martikainen for $6,109 during the third week of October. He told friends he was purchasing it for someone in Arkansas. He was going to fix it up and transport it to his friend, he said, though Martikainen had no sailing experience.

He appeared to be living aboard the boat as he worked on it, said Ted Suratt, whose boat was docked next to Martikainen's.

Suratt said Martikainen claimed to have dual citizenship and once served in the military in Finland. "He never gave an indication that he was capable of this," Suratt said.

Van Skiver said the boat has a sleeping cabin, kitchenette, compass and VHF radio. Martikainen purchased a GPS before Thanksgiving, she said, but had no EPIRB, a device that helps rescuers locate boats in distress.

The boat had adult life vests but no child vests, and Van Skiver didn't know if Martikainen bought one.

He said he would try sailing it after visiting his son over Thanksgiving, Van Skiver said, but she advised him to take boating classes first.

"This is a man with not a lot of sailing experience," Van Skiver said. "It is impossible to take care of a child and sail a boat without multiple people."

Authorities believe the abduction was planned because the boat was recently painted battleship gray — covering identifying numbers and making it tough to see in the water.

Martikainen was ordered to have supervised visitation because of previous allegations that he physically abused the boy, Matthews said. The visits have been ongoing for about six months, his ex-wife said.

The allegations were verified by a Department of Children and Families investigation just days before the child went missing, said DCF spokeswoman Carrie Hoeppner.

DCF said there was no reason for the state to intervene because the mother had primary custody and the child was under the supervision of a judge.
Records show that Martikainen and Christa Lee Finch got a marriage license in 2004 in Palm Beach County. A wedding was held at Great Outdoors in Titusville in Brevard County on Dec. 3, 2004.

They filed for divorce in July 2005, Florida Today reported. She was pregnant with Luke, and Martikainen agreed to give up his parental rights as part of their divorce agreement, the newspaper reported.

The two began living together again in September 2006, then separated in January 2008, Today reported. He filed for joint custody because he said he had developed a bond with Luke.

Martikainen has an arrest record that includes driving without a license and failing to go to court multiple times in the 1990s. In 1999 he was arrested in Palm Beach on a felony charge of trafficking Ecstasy.

In February he was charged with child abuse and domestic battery.

The Coast Guard said it was searching for Martikainen and his son during patrols Monday. A bad storm is expected to move across the Gulf from Texas on Wednesday.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/at-st-petersburg-marina-boaters-worry-about-father-son-he-may-have-abducted/1055279

Cocoa police have issued an arrest warrant for Paul Martikainen, the 35-year-old father who disappeared into the Gulf of Mexico on a sailboat with his 3-year-old son Saturday.

Martikainen faces one count of interference with custody, said St. Petersburg police spokesman Bill Proffitt.

Kidnapping this child because he "wanted to see his son" was not the right thing to do. When caught he's probably going to end up in jail and that is not a place that he will be able to leave to "see his son". This should have been handled in the courts. This child's life is in danger if the father isn't an experienced sailor. He has put this child's life in danger......I don't think this is the way to prove how much you love your son. This act was motivated by selfishness on the father's part.

SAD, I know this must be very painful for you. It is quite evident by your post that you know this man. Maybe he just wants his son. I have two sons of my own. I know what it is like as a parent. I truly do.

You have to expect people that do not know him to have their own opinions just due to the facts AS WE KNOW THEM.

I may not agree with what or how he is doing this, but I do understand about loving your child. Please don't think we are against what you are saying. You are welcome here to post whatever you feel you need to say.

Cocoa boy's mom begs for son's return
Man sought in parental-custody case
BY RICK NEALE, JIM WAYMER AND KEYONNA SUMMERS • FLORIDA TODAY • NOVEMBER 30, 2009

“I know Jesus is with us, and if anyone can pray, please pray with us that we get Lukie back very soon,” Christa Finch said during a press conference at Cocoa Police Department.

She cried and held up two photos and a stuffed toy owl that the boy sleeps with.

Christa Finch said her ex-husband, Paul Martikainen, was not in the boy’s life for his first two years. She said the toddler was nervous about the supervised visits with his father when they began in February, but she said he had grown more comfortable since then.

Finch said Martikainen was supposed to return the boy to her at 7 p.m. Saturday at the police department.

Police would not release information on the identity of the court-appointed supervisor for the visit.

Police warned that the father might alter the boy’s haircut or hair color.

Luke’ mother said he has a dimple in his right cheek and a faint scar under his left eye. She said he also has big blue-green eyes.

According to Brevard County court records requested by FLORIDA TODAY, Paul Martikainen and Christa Finch married in December 2004. She filed for divorce in July 2005.

At the time, she was pregnant with Luke. As part of their divorce agreement, Martikainen agreed to give up parental rights to the unborn child.

In later documents, Martikainen said Finch moved back in with him in September 2006, then moved out in January 2008. When they broke up, he filed for joint custody, saying he had helped care for the child and developed a bond.

Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is joining the search for Martikainen, who is accused of abducting his 3-year-old son during a court-supervised visit, then setting sail on a friend’s boat off a St. Petersburg marina.

Cocoa Police Department spokeswoman Barbara Matthews said the FBI is preparing an “Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution” warrant for 35-year-old Martikainen.

Witnesses who saw Martikainen and son Luke Finch on the news Saturday night called police and reported they had seen them take a dinghy out to a 32-foot Bristol sailboat at about 4 p.m. at a St. Petersburg marina, Cocoa police said.

video here:

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091130/NEWS01/91130002/1086/Cocoa+boy+s+mom+begs+for+son+s+return

Search continues for 3-year-old Florida boy Luke Finch (video)
November 30, 11:22 PMCrime ExaminerCindy Adams

A 3-year-old Florida boy remains missing after witnesses saw he and his father, Paul Martikainen, 36, get in a 32-foot sailboat at the St. Petersburg Marina on Saturday, according to Fox News.

Luke Finch’s mother, Christa Finch, spoke out on Monday saying Marikainen did not bring the boy back after a court supervised visit that took place Saturday evening. “I’m sure that he’s [Luke] telling him he wants to come home to Mom. I’m sure that he is,” Finch said.

According to Fox News, Martikainen allegedly slipped away from his supervised visitation with the boy at Cocoa Park after Finch handed Luke over to him at the Cocoa Police Dept.

Fox news also learned that Martikainen had been reported for child abuse, hence the reason for supervised visitation. Finch obtained sole custody of Luke after the couple divorced about four years ago.

Luke is described as a white male with pale blond hair and blue eyes, and is 2-foot-9, weighing approximately 33 lbs. He was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt and blue pants, with red shoes. Martikainen is described as a white male with blond hair and green eyes, weighing about 176 lbs.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Luke and/or Martikainen are urged to call the Cocoa Police Department at 321-639-7620.

See a video report below:

http://www.examiner.com/x-1168-Crime-Examiner~y2009m11d30-Search-continues-for-3yearold-Florida-boy-Luke-Finch-video

Christa Finch
I am praying both Luke and his Dad are safe some where. That poor little boy has to be so scared.

i feel sorry for that supervisor!

The U.S. Coast Guard this morning rescued a 3-year-old boy who was abducted by his father in Brevard County.

Two cutters and a helicopter converged on the sailboat where Luke Finch was being held by his father, Paul Martikainen of Palm Bay, police said.

The boy is now on the Coast Guard Cutter Crocodile, which is expected to arrive at Fort Myers Beach at 7 p.m. The father is still on the sailboat, which is being towed to shore.

"Detective Nellie Woodruff is also aboard the Cutter with Luke. Luke seems to be in good health. Investigators are transporting Luke's mother to Ft. Myers for the reunion," Cocoa police said in a statement.

The Coast Guard spotted the sailboat about 5:40 p.m. Monday about 95 miles southwest of Sanibel Island, according to a federal criminal complaint made public this morning.

It appeared the sailboat was traveling toward the Yucatan Peninsula and Mexico, the complaint said.

The Coast Guard kept the sailboat under surveillance until this morning's rescue at sunrise.

"Paul Martikainen is still aboard the sailboat which is being towed to shore by the Coast Guard Cutter Kodiak Island. They will make landfall much later in the evening . . . " the Cocoa police statement said.

The statement included a prepared comment from Cocoa Police Chief Mark Klayman.

"We are extremely happy about the outcome of this. It could have gone so much worse and we are so thankful that Luke is safe. This was a group effort and would not have been possible without the help of many, many law enforcement agencies," Klayman said.

Police said Luke was abducted by Martikainen during a supervised visit Saturday at the Riverfront Park in Cocoa Village, federal court document said.

A court-appointment supervisor, who was monitoring the visit because of previous allegations of child abuse, left Martikainen and Luke at the park at about 12:30 p.m. while he ate lunch at a restaurant located across the street.

When the supervisor returned, he couldn't find the child or Martikainen.

Luke's car seat had been removed from the supervisor's vehicle, and Martikainen's green Ford Explorer was gone.

Investigators said witnesses called police and reported seeing the pair at the Salt Creek Marine Center in St. Petersburg. They said Paul and Luke got into a 32-foot Bristol sailboat and left the marina.

Police also found Martikainen's 1995 green Ford Explorer at the marina.

The federal criminal complaint said Martikainen bought a boat, which he painted battleship gray, off the auction Web site eBay in October.

Investigators also learned Martikainen disconnected his cell phone on or about Nov. 23.

Authorities have said the sailboat was painted in the "battleship gray" color to possibly attempt to conceal the boat on the water.

Police were concerned because the father has "no known extensive boating experience."

Martikainen faces one federal count of international parental kidnapping.

The Coast Guard has scheduled a press conference at 11 a.m. at in St. Petersburg.

Capt. Timothy Close, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg commander, is expected to speak about the search and rescue effort.

http://www.fox59.com/news/nationworld/os-missing-3-year-old-20091129,0,7613688.story

Tuesday morning, the boy was aboard a cutter with a crew and police detective and he is expected to arrive at Fort. Myers Beach at approximately 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Luke seems to be in good health, police said, and investigators are transporting Luke's mother, Christa Finch, to Fort Myers for the reunion.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20091201/NEWS/912019969/1410?Title=Police-Coast-Guard-Finds-Missing-3-Year-Old-

Christa Finch, the mother of Luke Finch, is scheduled to hold a news conference at 11:30 a.m. at the Cocoa Police Department.

http://www.news-press.com/article/20091201/NEWS01/91201013/1075/Missing-Cocoa-boy-found-safe-off-Sanibel-Island-coast

:cheers: BJ thanks for the updates.

So glad this child has been found safe...That picture upthread of his "father" scared me...He looked absolutely wild...Hope he will not have access to the boy ever again!!!

A 3-year-old boy who was rescued in the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday has been reunited with his mother.

A Coast Guard cutter sailed into Ft. Myers Beach around 5:40 p.m. with Luke Finch, a toddler who was the target of a massive search after he went missing from Cocoa over the weekend.

Luke was carried off the cutter by a coast Guard crew member who delivered him into his mother's arms in a tearful reunion.

"I thank god it ended the way it did," said Christa Finch, Luke's mother. "It's absolutely a miracle."

Luke was last seen over the weekend during a planned visit by his non-custodial father, Paul Martikainen.

Witnesses reported seeing them sailing from a St. Petersburg marine.

The Coast Guard began its search, which ended when they found the boat earlier this afternoon.

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/pinellas/1201-missing-boy-home-safe

Suspect in kidnapping of Cocoa boy makes first court appearance

By Glenn Miller • gmiller@news-press.com • December 2, 2009

10:07 A.M. — Paul Martikainen, who is suspected of kidnapping his 3-year-old son Luke Finch, has asked a federal magistrate to move his case to Orlando.

Martikainen appeared in federal court this morning before Judge Sheri Polster Chappell, a day after the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted him on his sailboat 140 miles southwest of Fort Myers Beach. Cocoa police and the FBI had sought Martikainen since Saturday when he disappeared with Luke during a supervised visit in a park in the east coast city.

Luke and his mother, Christa Finch, were reunited Tuesday night at the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Fort Myers Beach.

It’s unclear when Martikainen will be transferred to Orlando.

When the judge asked him questions in the 10-minute appearance, Martikainen, who appeared in an orange Lee County prisoner jumpsuit with shackles around his waist and ankles and handcuffs on his wrists, mumbled “yes” and “no” answers.

He said he understood his rights and cannot afford to hire a private attorney, although an attorney represented him at the hearing today.

Martikainen faces up to three years in prison, a $250,000 fine and supervised release for a year if he is convicted.

http://www.news-press.com/article/20091202/CRIME/91202020/1075/Suspect-in-kidnapping-of-Luke-Finch-makes-first-court-appearance

I am so glad we had a story involving a missing child that had a happy ending for a change. So sad from all of the children being murdered by their parents.
Lisette, I agree with you, the father looked wild, I hope the courts see to it that he never sees this child again, even with a supervised visit. At least not for now.

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2009/12/2/mom_grateful_to_have_brevard_boy_home.html

Christa Finch Grateful To Have Son Home
Wednesday, December 02, 2009 10:54:13 PM

Reported By Greg Pallone

COCOA -- New video released Wednesday shows the dramatic rescue of missing Brevard boy, Luke Finch, 3, in the Gulf of Mexico.

In the video you can see the two Coast Guard cutters Crocodile and Kodiak Island surrounding the 32-foot sailboat.

Coast Guard crews eventually made their way on the boat and took Paul Martikainen into custody.

Luke was reunited with his mother on the docks in Fort Myers Tuesday evening.

Christa Finch says she's slowly getting back to normal now that Luke is in her sight.

“The last couple nights I would wake up and there would be that horror, during the night of the reality he wasn't here. And last night it was different. I woke up and I have that peace. He’s right here next to me. I’d just touch him and kiss him, and it’s just wonderful,” Finch said.

She said Luke has been very quiet about his ordeal. But she is willing to listen if he wants to talk about it.

Meantime, News 13 has obtained the call to police by Bob Rumble, the court appointed supervisor, who Cocoa police said was duped by Paul Martikainen.

Dispatcher: Cocoa police, you're on a recorded line, how can I help you?
Rumble: Hey, this is Bob Rumble and I am one of the court appointed supervisors for child custody. It's Paul Martikainen and Christa Finch.
Dispatcher: OK
Rumble: I'm freaking out. I don't know what to do. I'm at the Cocoa Village Park and I can't find them anywhere. I went to pick up pizza from Ryan's, get pizza and drinks and go to the bathroom and I have looked everywhere and don't know what to do.

But does Finch hold a grudge against her ex-husband or the supervisor?

“I honestly can’t even have animosity towards Paul. I am too grateful. I am too much in a state of thanking God. I mean, I can’t even have room for any negativity in my life,” Finch said.

Rescued Florida boy surprises Coast Guard with a

By David DeCamp, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Monday, December 7, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG — Luke Finch, the boy rescued at sea from his estranged father, turned up again Sunday near Salt Creek Marina.



A surprised U.S. Coast Guard got called in again, too.

Not that anyone minded. Unlike the frantic events of last Tuesday's daring save southwest of Fort Myers, the event was a thank-you lunch at Fish Tales Seafood and Steak House by owner Dan Wesner.

Wesner told the Coast Guard — regulars at his place — and other authorities to come for lunch. But he didn't tell all the "coasties" about the return of Luke Finch with mom Christa and grandma Julie. The family was driven there by Nellie Woodruff, the Cocoa detective, who delivered him from his father's boat. Woodruff called Luke "like a nephew."

Stephen Smith, senior officer of the rescue boat, the Coast Guard cutter Crocodile, showed up with three other members thinking it was a casual afternoon. Instead, Luke delivered to him a crystal boat steering wheel from Fish Tales, thanking the agency for "a job well done." Had they known, all 11 crew members would have come, Smith said.

"It's absolutely amazing. We're so grateful and blessed," said Christa Finch afterward. "God answered our prayers."

Luke's rescue ended a 2½ day saga. His father, Paul Martikainen, 35, was arrested, accused of abducting the 3-year-old boy from a supervised visit in Cocoa, then trying to sail off with his son for parts as yet unknown from the St. Petersburg marina.

Luke's attention was far from any drama on Sunday. He quietly focused on a new toy truck, a gift along with a boat-shaped phone and a Transformers toy.

For their part, Coast Guard officials gave Wesner, Christa and Luke Finch, and marina area workers Jason Taylor and Debra Van Skiver each Challenge Coins, which are a symbol of a job well done.

Van Skiver, 38, an employee of Neptune Towing and Recovery, said delivering toys to Luke was the highlight of the day. A week earlier, she was among people who gave authorities initial clues in the case.

A chalk quadrangle was traced where Luke sat his last time at the marina Sunday. Next to it, someone wrote: "Welcome Home Luke.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/rescued-florida-boy-surprises-coast-guard-with-a-thank-you/1056931

A Palm Bay man accused of kidnapping his son last month during a court-supervised visit and fleeing with the boy on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Paul Martikainen, 35, faces up to three years in prison if convicted on a federal charge of international parental kidnapping in connection with the Nov. 28 incident involving his son, 3-year-old Luke Finch.
He filed a written plea of not guilty and waived his appearance at an arraignment set for this morning before United States Magistrate Judge Karla R. Spaulding, Local 6 news partner Florida Today reported.
Authorities said Martikainen snatched the boy from Cocoa Riverfront Park while a friend -- who a judge ordered to supervise visits amid allegations that Martikainen had abused the boy -- stepped away to the restroom during lunch. Martikainen drove the toddler to Fort Myers and set sail for Mexico, police said.
The toddler was plucked from the boat three days later and reunited with his mother, Christa Finch of Cocoa, following a multi-law enforcement agency manhunt that took them 140 miles southwest of Fort Myers Beach.
Martikainen and Finch divorced in 2004 and have been fighting over custody since April 2008, court records show.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/22081275/detail.html

Kind of difficult for him to plead not guilty when they have footage of him being arrested and his son right next to him.

A man accused of abducting his 3-year-old son and fleeing on a sailboat pleaded guilty Friday.

Paul Martikainen was charged with one count of international parental kidnapping. He faces up to three years in prison and fine of up to $250,000.

Martikainen, 35, kidnapped his son, Luke Finch, in November during a supervised visit at Riverfront Park, in Cocoa Village.

Luke and his mother were reunited after the boy and his father were found on a sailboat in the Gulf of Mexico.

At the time, Martikainen and his ex-wife were fighting for custody of the boy.

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2010/2/19/dad_pleads_guilty_to_kidnapping_son.html

A May sentencing hearing has been postponed until July for a Palm Bay man who pleaded guilty to kidnapping his toddler son from a park last year.
U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell on Tuesday reset Paul Martikainen’s sentencing for 1 p.m. July 8 at the federal courthouse in Orlando.

The defense had requested the delay to give doctors at a Miami prison facility more time to study whether Martikainen suffers from a mental disorder, and how that might affect the sentence he should receive.

Martikainen, 35, pleaded guilty in January to kidnapping his 3-year-old son, Luke Finch, from Cocoa Riverfront Park on Nov. 28 when a court-appointed monitor briefly stepped away. Police said he drove to Fort Myers and fled with the boy on a sailboat en route to Mexico as a storm approached.

The toddler was plucked from the boat three days later and reunited with his mother following a multi-agency law enforcement manhunt that found Martikainen and the boy in international waters, about 140 miles southwest of Fort Myers Beach.

Martikainen faces up to three years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100331/BREAKINGNEWS/100331010/1006/NEWS01/Sentencing+for+Palm+Bay+man+who+kidnapped+son+delayed

Father convicted of kidnapping son will be resentenced


A U.S. appellate court has ruled that a father convicted of kidnapping his son from Cocoa and setting sail with him in the Gulf of Mexico should be resentenced because prosecutors wrongly argued he fled from law enforcement officers.

The case stems from the November 2009 parental abduction that prompted a sweeping search for Paul Martikainen that stretched across the state.

Police issued a missing child alert for 3-year-old Luke Finch following the father's court-appointed visit with the child in Cocoa. Cocoa police said Martikainen, who was estranged from his former wife, took the child and left for St. Petersburg when a court-appointed observer went to the restroom.

The U.S. Coast Guard found Martikainen two and a half days later with the boy aboard a 32-foot sailboat about 120 miles away in the Gulf of Mexico. The child was returned to his mother in Cocoa and Martikainen later pleaded guilty before the U.S. Middle District Court in Orlando to international parental kidnapping.

Federal prosecutors also sought an enhanced charge alleging that Martikainen's actions also threatened the child because he was "in the course of fleeing from a law enforcement officer." Martikainen was sentenced to spend 30 months in a federal prison.

Martikainen's attorneys argued that he did not know police were pursuing him.

The three-member judicial panel with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta agreed with Martikainen's attorneys and issued a ruling Tuesday that the enhanced penalty should not have been imposed.

But "he will be resentenced," said William Daniels, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office. "He's still in federal custody. The guidelines without the enhancement is anywhere between 21 to 27 months."

Cocoa Police Chief Mark Klayman, whose agency initiated the investigation into the abduction, also commented on the case.

"We understand the court's decision and hope that Mr. Martinkainen will be closely supervised in a highly controlled environment if he is able to visit Luke again" Klayman said.

A sentencing date has not been set.
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110513/CRIME/105130324/Father-convicted-kidnapping-son-will-resentenced

New charges send dad convicted of kidnapping back behind bars


A Brevard County man convicted of kidnapping his young son is out of federal prison, but he is not yet a free man.
Paul Martikainen served a little more than a year behind bars for the kidnapping. But now, new charges have sent him straight to the Brevard County Jail.
Martikainen was on a court-ordered, supervised visit with his son, Luke Finch, in a park in Cocoa in 2009, when he took off with the boy.
The pair left Brevard County as Martikainen drove to the other side of the state and jumped on board a 32-foot sailboat.
After a two-day manhunt, the U.S. Coast Guard spotted the boat and rescued the boy.
During his trial, Martikainen said he always had his son's best interests at heart, and that he was simply taking his son on a trip to the Florida Keys.
But after serving federal time in Sumter County, state prosecutors now want to charge Martikainen with interference with custody, a third-degree felony.
Martikainen, 36, was locked up on a $20,000 bond. If convicted, he could face up to five years in a state prison.
http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/august/303004/Man-who-kidnapped-son-released-from-federal-prison,-taken-to-county-jail