Edition: U.S. / Global

Update; U.S. Still Searching For Missing Boy

Published: December 13, 1992

More than eight months have passed since Shai Fhima, a 13-year-old Jewish boy, disappeared in Brooklyn. But despite search efforts by Federal investigators, Shai is still missing.

The boy disappeared last April after a series of combative meetings between his parents, Jacky and Hana Fhima, and an ultra-orthodox rabbi who has a yeshiva in Brooklyn.

Since then, the Fhimas have insisted that their son was kidnapped by the rabbi, Schlomo Helbrans. And even with continuing investigations by the police, a Federal grand jury and the F.B.I., no one has had any luck recovering him.

"We still don't have the child back," said Raoul Felder, the lawyer for the Fhimas, who sent Shai to Rabbi Helbrans' yeshiva last spring for bar mitzvah training. "I have to say it's one of the most frustrating things I've been involved in since I've been a lawyer," he said.

Mr. and Mrs. Fhima, who are non-religious Jews, contend that the Rabbi, a member of the Satmar sect, became obsessed with converting their son to his ultra-orthodox ways and masterminded his kidnapping. Mr. Helbrans counters that he does not know Shai's whereabouts, and disclaims any connection with his disappearance. But he says the boy had wanted to escape his abusive parents.

The police initially arrested Mr. Helbrans and charged him with kidnapping. But the Brooklyn District Attorney, Charles J. Hynes, later voided the arrest, saying there was not enough information to prosecute Mr. Helbrans.

Mr. Felder said Friday that Shai is still believed to be alive. "We just don't know where he is."