1977 (#13) - Karen’s kidnapping, Snapper’s rescue and Ron’s suicide attempt

Chris's happiness at the ruling in favour is not going to last long. A Ron now driven by madness, and determined whatever it takes to be with his daughter, carries out the plan to kidnap the child. He goes to the schoolyard and, taking advantage of a moment of distraction, takes Karen with him, putting her in the car and leaving unnoticed. When Snapper and Chris are contacted by the school, they immediately realize that Ron is the only one behind Karen's disappearance. Frightened of the little girl's fate, the two immediately rush to the police to report the kidnapping, allowing the release of Ron's arrest warrant. He, meanwhile, reassures the little girl, who is constantly asking about Chris, telling her that he was about to take her on a trip and that Chris would soon join them. At the bus station, and about to leave for the first available destination, Ron notices that Karen is ill. So he decides to take her to the clinic for tests; what he didn't know was that the clinic is the same one Snapper runs. At his sight, Ron is forced to leave the hospital unnoticed, and decides to leave the girl to the doctors, giving up his crazy plan to give Karen a better future with Chris and Snapper. When Snapper is astonished to see the girl lying on a cot, he immediately warns Chris that he has found the girl, and the two burst with joy, relieved that their nightmare is finally over. Meanwhile Ron, now determined to end his life, attempts suicide by poisoning himself, but he is found and hospitalized, where the doctors manage to save him.