Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced today that Dwight C. Richards, father of 12-year-old King Richards, was arrested by New Rochelle police detectives today in connection with the disappearance of his son.
Richards, 54, of New Rochelle, is scheduled to be arraigned in White Plains City Court Wednesday morning on a misdemeanor information charging him with one count of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor.
DA Cacace said: “I am relieved beyond measure that, nearly one year later, King Richards was found in good health and was returned to the care of his mother. The defendant’s alleged defiance of the Family Court, allegedly concealing his son for the better part of a year, caused his mother and everyone in this county an agonizing wait as the child’s whereabouts remained unknown for so long. I want to commend the New Rochelle police for never giving up their search efforts or their hope that King Richards would be located safe and sound. Their diligence led to today’s reunion.”
“All children in Westchester deserve to live without fear that they will be stolen without warning from the sanctuary of their communities. We must strive for a reality where that is possible.”
According to a misdemeanor information filed with the court, on July 18, 2025, the defendant violated a mandate issued by Westchester County Family Court Judge Allison E. Burke by failing to produce his son, King Richards, to the court on that date.
Through the present, the defendant has remained in violation of the court’s mandate by failing to produce his son to the court, as required by the mandate, the misdemeanor information alleges.
The case was investigated by the New Rochelle Police Department and the Child Abuse Bureau within the District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by the Child Abuse Bureau.