Father of Alabama Boy Missing for 13 Years 'Just Took Him and Left,' Lawyer Says

The father of the boy who vanished for 13 years -- now facing charges in the case -- "just took him and left" Alabama in 2002, his lawyer said.

Bobby Hernandez allegedly took his son, Julian, in 2002 and he and the boy lived under assumed names. The alleged ruse was only discovered when the boy applied to college and his Social Security number came up as invalid.

"There were times when he thought [Julian's mother] may take him. So he just decided, you know, one day that he was going to do it and he did it," Hernandez's attorney, Ralph DeFranco, told ABC News today. "He just took him and left, and came up here [to Ohio]." 

DeFranco said he doesn't know if Hernandez contacted Julian's mother after that. But DeFranco said his client "absolutely" feels remorse.

"He’s been a good father," said DeFranco. "Everybody that knows him loves him. His neighbors and his friends all speak very highly of him."

It was not clear if any action was taken regarding the father's fears about the boy being taken. Julian's mother could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.

A representative for Julian's mother said earlier the family was "overjoyed this week to locate Julian and learn that he is safe" but will "decline any requests for interviews or additional information at this time."