US teen found after ‘missing’ for three years

Five people living in the home in Jonesboro were taken into custody, including two adults who face charges of false imprisonment and cruelty to children.

The home where a 13-year-old boy who reportedly has been missing for four years, was located by police when they found a false wall in a closet in the house in Jonesboro, Georgia. Tami Chappell / ReutersShow less

ATLANTA // A 13-year-old boy who had been reported missing four years ago was discovered alive, hidden behind a fake wall of a home near Atlanta, Georgia, and reunited with his mother early on Saturday, police said.

Five people living in the home in Jonesboro, 17 kilometres south of Atlanta, were taken into custody, among them two adults who face charges of false imprisonment and cruelty to children, said Sgt Kevin Hughes of the Clayton County police.

Three juveniles also in the home were facing obstruction charges, Sgt Hughes said.

Clayton County police were called to the home on Friday to perform a welfare check on a child, but residents said they had no information about the boy who authorities were seeking, Sgt Hughes said.

Several hours later, authorities were called back to the home. As police searched the residence, the boy was able to make phone contact with his mother, who relayed to officers where he was hidden, Sgt Hughes said.

The child was apparently able to get to a phone recently and contact his mother to let her know his whereabouts, authorities said.

“They discovered him hidden behind a false wall in the interior portion of the home,” he said.

It was unclear how long the boy had been hidden behind the fake wall, or if he was kept there only when visitors were at the house.

Authorities said they would release more details about the case as they became available.

The boy, who appeared to be in good physical health, was reunited with his mother, who had come to Georgia from out of state, Sgt Hughes said.

Local media captured video of the boy crying and hugging his mother at the police station after they were reunited.

The teen was reported missing in 2010 while visiting his father in Florida, WSBTV reported. His father was one of the two adults arrested, the station said.

The boy’s mother apparently reported him missing to child welfare authorities but not to police.

It was unclear if those arrested in the home had obtained attorneys.

* Reuters