April 17, 1951

L. Ron Hubbard, 40, founder of Dianetics, yesterday was said to have his small daughter, Alexis Valorie, 13 months, with him in New Jersey, while his estranged wife Sara searched for the child here.

In court of Superior Judge Mildred Lillie, testimony of Vincent J. McGonigle, operator of a West Los Angeles nurses' agency, was that he had taken the infant to the father in the East, March 5th. Mrs. Hubbard, 25, had said the child was secreted with McGonigle under the name Anne Marie Olson.

Through Attorney Caryl Warner, Mrs. Hubbard accused Frank B. Dessler, one of Hubbard's disciples, of removing the baby from its nursery Feb. 23rd, and of placing it with McConigle.

Kidnapping Charge

On the witness stand, Dessler said he had not seen the baby since that date, and he had no idea of the child's whereabouts.

Mrs. Hubbard charged that on the night her baby was taken, she herself was "kidnapped" by her husband and driven to Arizona under threats of death. She was released later, she said, and he promised to give the child to her on her promise that she would not prosecute him for his actions.

Judge Lillie continued the hearing to give Warner further opportunity to question McGonigle and Dessler in his search for the child.

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