Woman suspected of kidnapping, child found in Scotland

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) - A woman accused of abducting her son during a custody dispute 3 1/2 years ago and then eluding her ex-husband by moving around Europe was found in Scotland, and the boy has been turned over to United Kingdom authorities.

Paul Marinkovich said his ex-wife, Sindi Linden, was jailed in London awaiting extradition to the United States. His 9-year-old son, Gabriel, has been named a ward of the state in Scotland and placed with a foster family.

''I am relieved Gabriel is separated from her,'' Marinkovich said.

Linden took Gabriel out of the country in 1996, married a Swede, moved to Sweden and changed their names, authorities said.

From there Linden moved to Spain and finally to Scotland, where Scotland Yard detectives found her, authorities said. Linden was at her home near Edinburgh when she was arrested early Wednesday, Marinkovich said.

The detectives were acting on a tip from a woman who ordered a rag doll cat from Linden, a breeder, and recognized her from media attention the case generated when Marinkovich went to Spain last month after learning his wife was traced there.

An official with the U.S. State Department said the boy is receiving good care.

''We have been very happy with the cooperation from the authorities in the United Kingdom, because they have taken great pains to take care of the welfare of the child,'' said Elizabeth Soyster, a management analyst with the State Department.

Marinkovich said a custody hearing is scheduled for April 7 in Edinburgh, and he plans to fly Tuesday to Scotland to get reacquainted with his son. He has a phone meeting scheduled with Scottish social service authorities Monday to work out a reunification plan.

''My first question is how is Gabriel,'' Marinkovich said. ''As a father who hasn't seen his son for 3 1/2 years, I am dying to talk to my son.''