Oregon father sues former Apple and Amazon director over alleged child abduction

An Oregon father has filed a civil lawsuit in Multnomah County Circuit Court accusing former Apple and Amazon director Ralph Zazula of helping finance and conceal his son’s abduction for 14 months. The case seeks more than $5 million in damages and says the child was recovered in California in August 2026.

Why it matters: - The lawsuit raises civil claims tied to an alleged child abduction that lasted 14 months. - The complaint seeks $5,007,550, plus attorney fees, costs and possible punitive damages. - The case could expand legal exposure beyond the child’s mother to a former executive alleged to have helped finance and carry out the concealment.

What happened: - Eric Kevin Jurgens filed a civil complaint in Multnomah County Circuit Court against Ralph Zazula. - The complaint alleges Zazula enabled and funded the abduction and concealment of Jurgens’ minor son. - Jurgens says the child’s mother, Danielle Marie Atwood, abducted the child and kept the child hidden from Jurgens for 14 months. - The complaint says Zazula is a former director at Apple and Amazon. - Jurgens said in a statement that he did not know where his son was for 14 months and wanted accountability for the man he says enabled the conduct.

The details: - The complaint says the Multnomah County Circuit Court awarded Jurgens sole legal custody in July 2025. - The court later granted Jurgens all parenting time in October 2025, according to the pleading. - The complaint says a writ of assistance and a protective custody order were issued. - The pleading says the child was reported missing. - A Multnomah County grand jury later indicted Atwood on three counts of second-degree custodial interference, according to the complaint. - The complaint alleges investigators found Zazula, Atwood and the child in San Bernardino County, California. - The pleading says authorities recovered the child on or about August 20, 2026. - The complaint alleges Zazula was driving the vehicle containing Atwood and the child when authorities located them. - The complaint says Atwood was arrested and the child was released to Jurgens. - Jurgens is seeking damages for intentional interference with a custodial relationship, aiding and abetting intentional interference, intentional infliction of emotional distress and, in the alternative, violation of California Civil Code Section 49. - The complaint also gives notice that Jurgens plans to seek permission to add a punitive damages claim. - The case is Eric Kevin Jurgens v. Ralph Zazula, Multnomah County Circuit Court, Case No. 26CV50895.

Between the lines: - The filing tries to turn a family-custody dispute into a broader civil case about alleged financing and participation in the concealment. - The complaint targets a corporate executive background, not just the mother accused of custodial interference. - The allegations have not been adjudicated, and no civil liability has been found.

What's next: - Zazula will have an opportunity to respond to the complaint. - Jurgens may seek court permission to add a punitive damages claim. - The civil case will move forward in Multnomah County unless the parties settle or the court narrows the claims. - The lawsuit could unfold alongside any separate criminal or custody-related proceedings tied to the same allegations.