Jorgensen’s criminal case dismissed; missing son found, but later escapes

The missing 16-year-old son of controversial lawyer Bruce Lee Jorgensen was found last week and turned over to the Florida Department of Children and Families, but later escaped.

Prosecutors dismissed early this month the charge of unlawful desertion of a child against Jorgensen, who was previously held on $1-million cash bail. He was freed as the court subsequently reduced the bail to $5,000 cash.

According to news reports from Miami, Plantation Police Department Detective Phil Toman stated that the 16-year-old Aage Jorgensen was found sleeping in a bathroom of Hampton Inn and Suites in Vero Beach on Tuesday.

Aage was not identified at the time after he reportedly gave a different name. He was not charged but he turned over to the Florida Department of Children and Families.

As the car stopped at an office in Fort Pierce, Aage jumped out of the vehicle and ran away from the staff, according to Florida Department of Children and Families spokeswoman Paige Patterson-Hughes.

After the agency alerted police about the incident, it was at the time when officers learned it was the missing Aage.

Attorney Glenn Roderman, counsel for Jorgensen, is reportedly offering a $5,000 reward for the public’s help in locating his son.

Aage was reportedly first seen on Dec. 27, 2015, when Jorgensen allegedly forced him out of his car in the Ford Lauderdale suburb of Sunrise after being rude or disrespectful.

Miami police arrested Jorgensen at Miami Airport after he allegedly purchased a one-way ticket to New Zealand.

Police stated that Jorgensen did not report to them about the disappearance of his son and refused to help them in the investigation.

According to David L. Price, Jorgensen’s friend, the case was dismissed by the court after Jorgensen’s counsel proved that he did have a round trip ticket to New Zealand.

Price told Saipan Tribune that in his opinion, the case against Jorgensen was pursued because he did not want to cooperate with the local authorities.

For that, Price said, Jorgensen spent almost one month in jail and incurred considerable legal expenses.

Price said Jorgensen could not conduct his own private search while incarcerated.

He said Aaage is apparently very scared of law enforcement officials.

In 2014, the CNMI government agreed to settle Jorgensen’s fees and costs in the amount of $800,000 in connection with his representation as counsel for Betty Johnson. The federal court subsequently approved the deal.