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Jennifer Hudson Offers $100,000 Reward for Nephew's Safe Return
Monday October 27, 2008

Lester Cohen/WireImage.com

Jennifer Hudson is offering a $100,000 reward for the safe return of her 7-year-old nephew, who was abducted from her mother's Chicago home.

Julian King hasn't been seen since Friday, when Hudson's mother and brother were found murdered from multiple gunshot wounds.

"Jennifer and her family appreciate the enormous amount of love, support and prayers they have received while she and her family try to cope with this tragedy and continue the search for Julian," said a statement released by Hudson's rep said.

Hudson and her family have also taken to her MySpace Celebrity blog to plead for the return of Julian.

"Thank you all for your prayers and calls. Please keep praying for our family, and that we get Julian King back home safely. If anyone has any information about his whereabouts, please contact the authorities immediately...Once again, thank you all for being there for us through this tough time," said a message signed "The Hudson Family."

The most recent photo of King was also attached.

Chicago Police have William Balfour, the estranged husband of Julian's mother, Julia (Hudson's sister), in custody. Balfour was identified as a suspect in the double homicide investigation.

"Detectives are working 24 hours on this case," Chicago police spokesperson Monique Bond told the Associated Press. "There's a lot of forensic evidence. We have to work the evidence and try and solve this case. Most importantly, we want to find the child."

On Saturday, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama reached out to the Academy Award-winning actress, calling her situation "heartbreaking.

"We're really going to have to...help her and pray for her and her family during this difficult time," Obama told Extra.

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