Mother Of Bulger's Late Child ' Glad He's Okay'

HULL (CBS) - The mother of James "Whitey" Bulger's only child got the call the night he was arrested.

"A U.S. Marshal said 'we've got him, he's in custody, he's safe,'" said 66-year old Lindsey Cyr.

"I'm very glad he's okay," said Cyr.

Cyr started dating Bulger when she was 21 years old and they were together for 12 years.

She gave birth to their son Douglas in 1967. Cyr describes Bulger as a loving companion and a doting father.

"Talked to him [Douglas] about everything, listened to Douglas' opinions as if he really needed to know," said Cyr. The boy died at just 6-years old of Reye's Syndrome, a tragedy that Cyr says tore Bulger apart.

"Jimmy changed, Jimmy was devastated. We both were," said Cyr. "I think it was all too painful for him." Cyr said the two drifted apart after that but managed to keep in touch. The last time they spoke was in 1995, just before Whitey disappeared.

WBZ-TV's Alana Gomez reports

"He said 'there's trouble' and I said 'are you hurt' because when he said there's trouble that usually meant bullets," said Cyr. "He said 'no, no not that kind of trouble,' he said, 'you're gonna hear a lot of nonsense, ignore it, don't worry about it. I have insurance it's gold plated.'"

After that she believes he stopped contacting her in order to protect her. During their time together Cyr says she was never afraid of Whitey and describes him as "respectful, quiet, and funny."

As for the way most talk about him as a homicidal monster, Cyr says, "I never saw any of that."

Cyr says she won't try to contact Bulger while he is back in Boston but does want him to know one thing.

"If he needs help, call me," said Cyr.