“I stole it because I wanted to be arrested and be put somewhere so they can’t touch me.” This statement was made Saturday morning in the Groton town court by Russell H. Getchell, 14, adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Getchell of Thames View, whose disappearance from home was reported Friday. Russell was arrested in Mystic on a charge of stealing from a store a clock valued at $3.75. The lad ran away from home Thursday, coming from the Quaker Hill school in New London, and, according to his testimony in court, walking to Mystic.

Peter Hammacker, proprietor of the store where the theft took place, had the boy arrested, and upon his presentation in court he was asked why he did the act. His reply was followed by testimony to the effect that his adopted parents had abused him severely, and that he could not stand it any longer. His parents denied this, but neighbors volunteered the information, following the hearing, that the boy had been abused, and had often showed cuts on his hands.

The court decided that probation officer Richard W. Mansfield was the best person to untangle the situation, and Russell was placed in his care for six months. Mr. Mansfield heard the stories of the boy and his foster parents and will send the boy to the Boy’s school in Cheshire.