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Adam Herrman's Biological Father Speaks Out

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The father of a boy who hasn't been seen in years hopes investigators can learn the truth about what happened to his son.

Reporter: Jared Cerullo

The father of a boy who hasn't been seen in years hopes investigators can learn the truth about what happened to his son. One day after charges were filed against the adoptive parents of Adam Herrman, his biological father calls it a step in the right direction.

Irvin Groeninger lost custody of Adam Herrman when the boy was just two years-old. Adam went into foster care and was eventually adopted by Doug and Valerie Herrman. Wednesday, authorities charged the Herrman's with a crime, but they say this is only the start.

"This is just the beginning for the Herrman's," said Butler County Attorney Jan Satterfield after charges were filed Wednesday.

Doug and Valerie Herrman walked out of the Butler County Courthouse Wednesday charged with felony theft. They're accused of cashing more than $50,000 in SRS checks even after Adam Herrman was no longer living with them.

Adam Herrman's biological father now lives in Illinois. He's relieved that something is finally happening with the case.

"It makes me feel good that the case is being reopened to this extent," said Irvin Groeninger, Herrman's biological father. "Maybe we can find out what happened, why he disappeared, why he hasn't been found yet. That way me and the family can get closure as to what happened to him."

For the first time, Butler County authorities are admitting that they believe the boy is dead and that they're seeking a homicide case against Doug and Valerie Herrman.

"If they're guilty, which my thoughts are that they are," Groeninger said. "They know something. They are guilty of something. I'd like to see justice served and I'd like to find out what happened to my son and where he's at because I want to bring him home."

Through property searches and hunts along the banks of the Whitewater River near Towanda, authorities have never turned up any sign of Adam Herrman. Through their attorney, the Herrman's maintain their innocence of any crime.

"It's very hard," said Groeninger about the case. "I just try to put it to the back of my mind and make it through the day at work and then fall apart when I go home. I wake up every morning hoping something is going to happen and now I'm glad that the case is opening back up."

The Herrman's are scheduled for a first appearance in Butler County District Court on Wednesday. Their attorney says simply that this is only a technical offense and that they will enter not guilty pleas.

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2010 Jul 8