Dad who failed to pick his kids from babysitter in 2003 has just been found dead after 18 years

A dad who failed to pick up his children from their babysitter back in 2003 has just been found dead after 18 years.

James Amabile went missing on Dec 4, 2003, on his way to pick up his two children from their babysitter’s home.

Adventures With Purpose, a team of search and recovery divers who help families find their loved ones, wrote on Facebook after James Amabile went missing: “We were able to ascertain that Mr. Amabile left his residence in the late afternoon … after oversleeping and rushing out to pick up his 2 daughters (ages 5 and 8) from the babysitter.

“Mr. Amabile called the babysitter stating that he would be there within 5 minutes.

“Mr. Amabile never arrived and was never seen again.”

Adventures With Purpose worked to help find the remains of Amabile.

“After searching several waterways our investigation took us to Stingers waterfront where 18 years later we were able to utilize technology not available at the time of his disappearance, to uncover a submerged vehicle in Darby creek 200 yards away, 24 feet beneath the surface,” the organization said in a March 20 Facebook post.

They then contacted the Ridley Township Police Department, which helped identify human remains pulled from the vehicle.

Police confirmed the vehicle’s license plate matched the 2003 missing person cold case, WTXF reported, and the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the remains were of Amabile.

Ridley Township Police Captain James Dougherty told KYW this discovery brings closure.

Adventures With Purpose said: “The cooperation of Ridley Township PD was critical in the success of this recovery every step of the way and we tip our hat to their professionalism and their trust in our experience to conduct this forensics recovery.

“At this moment we want to take a moment to express our sympathies to the entire Amabile family as they navigate this tragic outcome to a nightmare that has lasted 18 years.”