Robert Kelley is the kidnapper of his son Dylan Mendel and the murderer of Bradford Mendel, who adopted Dylan.
History[]
Kelley conceived Dylan with Celia Goddard when she suffered drug addictions, never knowing about Dylan, especially when Celia gave Dylan up for adoption. Celia went into rehab and wanted Dylan back, even in spite of his seizure disorder due to his prenatal damages from drugs Celia took. She heard from family lawyer Jerry Vaylor Kelley had to be the one to contest the adoption, not her. Celia told Kelley the truth, inciting him especially from hearing Brad and his domestic partner Donald Albers were Dylan’s foster family, as Kelley was a homophobe, which Celia knew from Kelley and a friend once getting drunk and later harassing a gay couple.
Kelley waited for Dylan outside his apartment building, confronting Brad as well. When Brad tried to stop Kelley from kidnapping Dylan, Kelley beat and kicked him beyond his physical capabilities of self-defense until Brad died, running off with Dylan and Celia. Kelley stayed in his house on Peekskill while Celia hid in the abused women shelter network of Susan Powers to hide from police. Celia was found and gave up Kelley, who was arrested, and Dylan rescued.
Celia made a deal to testify against Kelley in exchange for no jail time. Kelley was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter, with an added hate crime statute, and was imprisoned. (L&O: "Phobia")