Charles Bothuell's live TV reaction to learning his missing son was found alive in his basement is coming under scrutiny. INSIDE EDITION has the story.
It was an unforgettable TV moment as the father of a missing kid is told he's been found safe—in the basement!
Charles Bothuell looked stunned and confused as HLN's Nancy Brace broke the news that his 12-year-old son, Charlie, missing for nearly two weeks, was found in his own basement.
Grace told Bothuell, "We are getting reports your son has been found alive in your basement!"
Bothuell replied, "What?"
"Yes!" said Grace as she asked a staffer, "Could you hand me that wire very quickly."
Grace told Bothuell, "We are getting that right now. How could your son be alive in your basement?" asked Grace. "Sir, did you check your basement?"
"I checked my basement. The FBI checked the basement. The Detroit police checked my basement," said Bothuell.
Rushing home after the interview, Bothuell's emotions ran from tears, saying, "I want to see my son" to defiant denials, saying, "For anyone to imply that I somehow knew that my son was in the basement is absurd and it's wrong. I love my son. I'm glad that he's home."
The boy was found by police who were executing a search warrant. Police believe little Charlie may not have wanted to be found. His parents are separated.
A police officer on the scene said, "There was some bedding and there appeared to be some kind of wooden stand that was nearby the area where Charlie was at."
INSIDE EDITION's Les Trent spoke to reporter Will Jones of WDIV-TV in Detroit outside the father's home. He says the father's reaction to the news is coming under close scrutiny.
Trent asked, "What are people in the area saying about this father and his reaction to having heard that news?"
"Well we hear some people making judgements that his reaction was inauthentic. They didn't buy his reaction. And we have others who obviously have some sympathy for this father. But it is very confusing how you could have your son in the basement and not know it," said Jones.
See More of Grace's Interview with INSIDE EDITION
Nancy Grace talked to INSIDE EDITION about that moment of raw drama. Grace said, "He convinced me that he was very, very, happy and relieved that his son had been found alive, and that he was surprised when I first told him I was extremely skeptical based on his behavior alone."
