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Man’s Claim Gives False Hope in Yearslong Missing Boy Case
By: Associated Press
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CINCINNATI (AP) – The Latest on the investigation of a man who allegedly claimed to be a long-missing child from Illinois.
11:15 a.m.
An FBI affidavit says an Ohio man who authorities say falsely claimed to be an Illinois boy missing for eight years has made similar claims twice before.
The affidavit filed in federal court Friday says 23-year-old Brian Rini repeatedly told investigators he was Timmothy Pitzen, who disappeared in Aurora, Illinois, in 2011 at age 6.
The affidavit says Rini refused to be fingerprinted but submitted to a DNA test after which his true identity was determined.
The affidavit says Rini had watched a TV show about Pitzen and told investigators he wanted to get away from his family.
Investigators determined Rini had twice before falsely portrayed himself as a juvenile sex trafficking victim.
Federal court records don’t list an attorney for Rini.
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A day of false hope has given way to questions about why a man would claim to be an Illinois boy who disappeared eight years ago.
The FBI declared the man’s story a hoax Thursday one day after he identified himself to authorities as Timmothy Pitzen, who disappeared in 2011 at age 6.
Newport Police Chief Tom Collins identified the as 23-year-old ex-convict Brian Rini of Medina, Ohio, who was released from prison less than a month ago after serving more than a year.
The man had told police he’s Timmothy and escaped from men who held him captive.
Timmothy vanished after his mother killed herself at a hotel and left a note saying her son was safe with people who would care for him and would never be found.