April 11, 2002

"48 HOURS" AND READER'S DIGEST COLLABORATE ON THE STORY OF A YOUNG BOY TRAPPED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY CUSTODY BATTLE IN "SPENCER'S JOURNEY," APRIL 12 ON CBS

48 HOURS and Reader's Digest, in a collaborative effort, report on the heart-wrenching story of a young boy caught in a custody fight between his adoptive parents and biological father in "Spencer's Journey," to be broadcast Friday, April 12 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

What makes someone fit to be a parent? Amid competing claims and accusations, adults in conflict sometimes lose sight of what is in the best interest of a child. 48 HOURS correspondent Bill Lagattuta reports that Aaron and Lynda Kass, of Brentwood, Calif., have raised 2-year-old Spencer Kass as their own since the day his birth mother, Crystal Kane of Texas, gave him up for adoption. Kane's only demand was that it be an open adoption. As for the biological father, the Kasses' adoption attorney said he would not be a problem. However, Michael Elskes, of Houston, had no idea his son was put up for adoption and never gave his permission. As soon as he received a letter from the Kasses' attorney asking him to relinquish parental rights, he refused and filed a court order to take Spencer away. Thus began the two-and-a-half-year cross-country custody battle to win him back.

Kane tells 48 HOURS that she gave up her son for adoption to protect him from Elskes, who, she says, was violent and abusive to his 8-year-old daughter. Elskes says these claims are false and that he is a good parent to his daughter. In fact, he has primary custody of her. In October 1998, a California court ruled against Elskes and granted the Kasses temporary custody. For the last two and a half years, they have been his parents, raising him as their own child, but Elskes has mounted a last-ditch effort to get his son back.

The older Spencer gets, the less likely a California court will side with Elskes. Therefore, Elskes believes that his only chance of getting custody may be to move the case to Texas, his home turf and a state with a history of favoring the biological parent.

Elskes appears to be winning, as a judge rules the custody battle must move to Texas. But Spencer's fate will not be decided until the court hears from one more person. 48 HOURS reports on the surprise ending when Spencer's future is decided.

48 HOURS: "Spencer's Journey," was produced by Katherine Davis and Abra Potkin. The senior broadcast producer is Katie Boyle, and the executive producer is Susan Zirinsky.

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Press Contacts: Marcy Erhard 212/975-2888 erhardm@cbsnews.com