The man who was caring for a 4-year-old Newburgh boy when he went missing more than three weeks ago hired a private attorney.

Attorney Gary Greenwald says this is an emotional time for his client Cory Byrd, the boyfriend of Marc Bookal's mother. Byrd was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and a violation of parole after the toddler's disappearance.

Greenwald claims the boy told Byrd he was going next door to see his aunt the day he went missing. According to the attorney, once Byrd realized the boy was gone, he immediately called 911.

Byrd is due back in court Jan. 15.