For almost a decade, two families had been blaming each other for stealing their child.
Both mothers insisted that Bobby was their son, but when the justice system got involved, they got some unexpected news.
A Family Trip
In 1912, four-year-old Bobby and his parents went on a trip to Swayze Lake. They were surprised to learn that there were no lifeguards or nice beaches around.
Instead, they were surrounded by ponds full of alligators. The family had no other choice but to set up a tent and enjoy nature. Little did they know that the disaster was waiting just around the corner.
Searching For Bobby
That night, while the adults were sleeping, Bobby quietly exited the tent and vanished.
The following day, police and volunteers began searching for Bobby, but there were no traces of him. The police assumed he either drowned or was attacked by an animal. But, there was one piece of evidence that gave his parents some hope.
The Evidence
A local newspaper stated, "At first, it was feared that he had drowned, but the lake failed to give up the body, and the little boy's hat was found some distance from the lake a day or so later."
So, what happened to Bobby?
No Leads
The search for Bobby went on for eight months, and his father even offered a $1,000 reward for whoever found him. Still, they had no leads.
Then, on April 13, 1913, the authorities arrested a man who they believed was involved in Bobby's disappearance. But, where was the boy?
They Brought Him Home
Fortunately, the police were able to rescue Bobby and bring him home. However, his parents immediately sensed that something was off about him.
The man who was arrested for kidnapping Bobby was sent to prison. He tried to convince the public that Bobby was actually his nephew Charles "Bruce" Anderson, but no one believed him. "I know by now you have decided. You are wrong," William said. "It is very likely I will lose my life. On account of that, and if I do, the Great God will hold you accountable." But his speech wasn't enough to convince the authorities.
Julia Anderson
However, during the trial period, a woman named Julia Anderson confirmed that the boy they had taken away from William was, in fact, her biological son.
But even her words weren't enough to get William out of jail. Like Bobby's parents, she also struggled to recognize Bruce. Still, she was confident that the child was hers.
She Couldn't Convince Them
Julia tried to convince the jury and the public that the boy was her son, but they didn't believe a word she said. So with that, she had to return home without her son.
Almost 90 years later, Bobby's granddaughter decided to investigate his strange disappearance and noticed something peculiar about his case.
She Reopened The Investigation
Bobby's granddaughter Margaret Dunbar Cutwright reopened the investigation, and his story was shared in a 2008 episode of This American Life titled "The Ghost of Bobby Dunbar."
According to journalist Tal McThenia, Margaret spent several months digging for the truth.
Digging For Answers
"Margaret went on an obsessive quest to small-town libraries, archives, and courthouses all over the South," she said.
Margaret even received a membership at the Library of Congress for her birthday. But the more she learned, the more she realized how strange her grandfather's case was.
She Thought He Was Bruce
Margaret was determined to find out who was her grandfather's birth mother. She found Julia's granddaughter, Linda Traver, and began questioning her about "Bruce."
Linda was convinced that her grandfather was Bruce, not Bobby. "Margaret was totally convinced that it was Bobby Dunbar all along," Linda said. "I was totally convinced that it was Bruce Anderson all along."So, who was the boy that the authorities snatched from William?
They Opened William's Case Files
Margaret began to realize that Linda might be right. This case was strange, indeed. When the two women opened William's case files, they saw tons of letters from Julia, in which she begged him to return Bruce home.
But, one letter with the title "The Christian Woman" stood out the most.
The Letter
The letter read, "Dear sir, in view of human justice to Julia Anderson and mothers, I am prompted to write to you."
"I sincerely believe the Dunbars have Bruce Anderson and not their boy." That's when Margaret realized her grandfather wasn't Bobby. Soon, she uncovered something even more shocking.
Taking A DNA Test
Margaret tried to convince her grandfather to take a DNA test, but he refused. It wasn't until a few months later that he finally agreed to provide a sample.
And after about a month, the family received the DNA results.
He Was Bruce
As it turned out, her grandfather was Bruce Anderson and not Bobby. Margaret immediately contacted Linda and broke the news.
They shared a long emotional hug and forgave each other. Now it's time for both families to try and move on from this traumatic event.