On this day in 1932, in a crime that captured the attention of
the entire nation, Charles Lindbergh III, the 20-month-old son
of aviation hero Charles Lindbergh, is kidnapped from the
family's new mansion in Hopewell, New Jersey. Lindbergh, who
became an international celebrity when he flew the first solo
flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927, and his wife Anne
discovered a ransom note demanding $50,000 in their son's empty
room. The kidnapper used a ladder to climb up to the open
second-floor window and left muddy footprints in the room. The
Lindberghs were inundated by offers of assistance and false
clues. Even Al Capone offered his help from prison. For three
days, investigators found nothing and there was no further word
from the kidnappers. Then, a new letter showed up, this time
demanding $70,000. The kidnappers eventually gave instructions
for dropping off the money and when it was delivered, the
Lindberghs were told their baby was on a boat called Nelly off
the coast of Massachusetts. After an exha