LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The new home for the show will be the Lifetime network. A deal between John Walsh and the network was announced on Tuesday. The show will return for its 25th season later this year. America's Most Wanted has been on television since 1988 and has helped authorities capture nearly 1,200 fugitives.
 
In announcing the deal, Lifetime president Nancy Dubuc said, "America's Most Wanted is a seminal program that provides a very valuable service to both viewers and law enforcement agencies. For more than two decades John Walsh has been leading the fight against crime and it's an honor to partner with him on bringing back this important show."

Walsh remarked, "We've often been called the court of last resort," referring to the show's purpose of helping law enforcement to capture dangerous fugitives who might otherwise elude authorities. 

Last spring, Fox said it was dropping America's Most Wanted because of its high cost of production. Fox did promise to air four quarterly specials and Walsh confirmed that Fox still intended to air those shows. The first Fox special will air in October.
 
Despite the cancellation, Walsh reminded viewers that the website and hotline remained up so people could still see who to look out for and report new leads to authorities. Since then, Walsh said that four most wanted fugitives have been caught with tips from viewers. "The viewers didn't give up on us,"  said Walsh.

John Walsh has been on a lifelong mission to hunt fugitives and send them to justice. He began his crusade after his 6-year-old son, Adam, was abducted and murdered. He has successfully advocated tough new laws against sex offenders, cooperation between agencies, and public involvement in law enforcement.

© 2011, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.