A boy (13) who had been reported missing four years ago was found alive by police this weekend. He was hidden behind a fake wall in a house near Atlanta, Georgia.
Sergeant Kevin Hughes told reporters that five people,who were living in the house in which the teenager was found, were taken into custody.
The boy’s father Gregory Jean and a woman, Samantha Joy Davis, face charges of false imprisonment, cruelty to children and obstructing an officer. Three juveniles are also facing obstruction charges.
The child had been reported missing to child welfare services by his mother after he disappeared during a visit to his father in Florida but no police report was filed.
Recently, the teenager managed to get access to a telephone which he used to contact his mother and tell her of his whereabouts.
Clayton County police went to the residence on Friday but Jean and Davis said they had no information about the boy. The authorities later returned to search the residence during which time the boy called his mother who then informed officers of where he was.
Hughes explained: “They discovered him hidden behind a false wall in the interior portion of the home.”
Neighbours said they had no idea that the 13-year-old, who was deemed to be in good physical health and has been reunited with his mother, was being held against his will. One said they thought he was being home-schooled and that he didn’t look to be “in distress.”
