Dad: 'Our son needs help'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The father of a man accused of kidnapping and drugging an ex-girlfriend told 24 Hour News 8 his family will "fight tooth and nail to get him into rehab."

"Our son (Travis) needs help," Ken Ghent said in a phone conversation.

He said the Ghents don't want to look like they're "minimizing" what happened with Raquel Mayhanagian last weekend and they're "not trying to defend" what Travis Ghent allegedly did.

Ken Ghent said he believes his son's behavior is "100 percent" caused by drug addiction. He also said the Ghents are "very close" to the Mayhanagian family and they spent the whole weekend with them searching for their children.

The Mayhanagians are "awesome people," he said. "We're just an average family going through trauma."

In an e-mail to the 24 Hour News 8 newsroom, Ken Ghent, Travis' father, wrote:

Dear News 8, Our family would like to issue a statement to the media: The Ghent family would like the Mayhanagian family to know that they continue to be in their thoughts and prayers. The Ghent family would like to acknowledge that their son/brother is a very sick person. They have become aware that Travis is highly addicted to various drugs. Travis was found by his father Tuesday afternoon in very bad condition. He was then brought to the emergency room where his father alerted police he would be. They believe this was the only way to save his life. Thank you. Ken Ghent

24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow this story.