In 1972, while his father was abroad in France filming
Last Tango in Paris, Christian was kidnapped by his mother, who took him from school, then brought him to a gang of hippie friends in
Baja California, Mexico. Apparently, she had promised them $10,000 if they would hide Christian away.
[1] When she refused to pay, they took and hid the boy; a posse of private detectives hired by
Marlon, from an agency named "The Investigators", led by private investigator
Jay J. Armes, rescued him late one night. He was found living in a tent and ill with
bronchial pneumonia. His mother was arrested near the Mexican border after being pulled over for drunk driving and disorderly behavior.
[3] Back in court his father was awarded sole custody.
[4]