KENDALVILLE, Ind. (AP) — The father of a Minnesota man who was taken from his birth mother nearly 20 years ago in an Indiana custody dispute says he was in his son's life.

Richard W. Landers Sr. says he visited his then-5-year-old son at his parents' home before the alleged abduction.

Landers said he gave his parents temporary guardianship for one year because he didn't have a job and was "too young to have a kid."

The lawyer the mother is refuting claims that she was homeless and living in her car at the time.

Attorney Richard Muntz says Lisa Harter spent only three days living in a car. He says a judge had given her custody of the boy on weekends in 1994, but the paternal grandparents took him to Minnesota before she could get him.

Muntz says Harter is eager to talk to her son but that hasn't happened yet.

Richard Wayne Landers Jr. was reportedly abducted by his paternal grandparents in 1994. This week, authorities said he was living in central Minnesota under the name Michael Landers.

Richard Landers Sr. says he plans on making contact with his son and his parents.

Meanwhile, A Minnesota dairyman says he was stunned to learn that one of his workers is accused of abducting his 5-year-old grandson nearly 20 years ago in an Indiana custody dispute.

Patrick Lunemann of Twin Eagle Dairy near Clarissa says the grandfather, Raymond Iddings, has worked as a herdsman for him for more than a decade.

Lunemann says the 67-year-old Iddings is a dedicated employee. And he says Michael Landers appears to be happy in Minnesota, and shares his grandfather's "motorhead" passion.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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