Sister of Jennifer Hudson pleads for son’s return

Julia Hudson spoke from the podium of Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church alongside the father of seven-year-old Julian King, saying that the boy "doesn't deserve this."

"My greatest fear has already happened," she said. "My greatest hope is finding my child."

Julia's husband, William Balfour, was arrested Friday and is being held on suspicion in the deaths and the kidnapping of the missing boy, although he has not yet been charged. Insiders say that Balfour is refusing to talk, but the FBI has been called in on "the possibility or any theory that he could have been take across state lines."

Balfour's mother said the couple was married for several years but had separated. Neighbors report that the couple had recently been feuding over Julia's car, which she said Balfour sold without her permission, and that after a recent fight he threatened to "kill Julia's family."

Balfour has a lengthy criminal record and spent seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Julia confirmed that Oscar-winning sister Jennifer Hudson had arrived in Chicago to be with her family but that the singer would not be making a statement at this time.

October 26, 2008