Charles Abernathy was tracked down in Kansas City by Harry T. Brundidge, a reporter for the St. Louis Star. Brundidge won renown seven years before for helping to crack the Eganâs Rats, a criminal gang. This time, he scored a full confession from Charles Abernathy. The Star filled its front page with the scoop.
Buppie, meanwhile, already had met with reporters shortly after he was washed and fed. He said the kidnapper gave him poorly cooked scrambled eggs but added, âHe treated me pretty well.â
Charles Abernathy pleaded guilty and drew 15 years. Charges against his father were dropped. The kidnapper was paroled after eight years, returned to business in St. Louis and died in 1963 at age 60.