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Custody Battle Continues For Ex-Detroit Lion Charged With Parental Kidnapping

MOUNT CLEMENS (WWJ) - A former Detroit Lion remains locked in a custody dispute over his 11-year-old son after being accused of parental kidnapping.

A custody hearing involving Mark Grabowski, a former defensive lineman for the Lions, was put on hold Monday in Macomb County Circuit Court. No date was set for the hearing.

Judge Kathryn Viviano also continued an order that suspended Grabowski's rights to visit with his son, Connor Grabowski-Cracchiolo.

It was in August when Grabowski failed to return the boy to his mother after a weekend visit. The next time the child was seen was on a YouTube video, claiming he wasn't kidnapped and he wanted to start a new life with his dad. The boy was found safe a month later at a South Dakota ranch after being taken on a six state sojourn by his father, who was taken into custody without incident.

Viviano said she was not lifting the suspension on visitation until she has more information, the Detroit Free Press reported. She said Connor has been put "in a very difficult situation" and she wants to make sure he is protected.

Grabowski, who is charged in Livingston County with unlawful retention of a child by a parent, is out on a $50,000 personal bond and is on an electronic tether.

The custody case started in Macomb County 2001.

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