![]() |
Rescue: The teenager (pictured) reportedly downloaded a cellphone app to text his mother to tell her he was being held captive and beaten at the house in Duke Court, Clayton County. He was rescued Saturday morning |
The unnamed teenager reportedly downloaded a cellphone app to text his Florida-based mother to tell her he was being held captive and beaten at the house in Clayton County, Georgia.
Police arrived at the scene and found the boy hidden behind a false panel in a linen closet in the property's garage. He repeatedly thanked officers for rescuing him, according to reports.
In heart-wrenching scenes on Saturday morning, the victim was pictured clinging on to his weeping mother, who had traveled to Georgia, as another female relative sobbed uncontrollably nearby.
Now, five people in the house in Duke Court - the boy's father, stepmother and three juveniles - have been arrested and charged with false imprisonment, obstruction and cruelty to a child.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
The boy was reported missing to child welfare authorities in 2010 after he went to visit his father and he refused to return him to his mother, according to WSB-TV.
However, his mother never contacted the police, potentially because she is an immigrant and was unfamiliar with the system, it is said. But after receiving her son's text, she immediately called 911.
Following her call, officers arrived at the property at 2am on Saturday. They reportedly questioned the house's uncooperative occupants for several minutes before locating the victim.
![]() |
Arrests: Now, five people in the property (pictured) including the boy's father and stepmother, have been arrested and charged with false imprisonment, obstruction and cruelty to a child. They remain in custody
It is unknown what condition the teenager was discovered in, or whether he was taken to hospital.
Sargent Joanne Southerland, of Clayton County Police Department, told the news station: 'We came here to the home and were able to get inside and talk to the people inside.
'After several minutes of denying that the child was here and that there was ever any assault or anything like that, we were able to find him in the linen closet.'
![]()
Investigation: CID officers are pictured arriving at the house on Saturday morning. An investigation is ongoing
![]()
Shocked: The teenager was reported missing to child welfare authorities in 2010 after he went to visit his father and he refused to return him to his mother, Police Sargent Joanne Southerland (pictured) said
|
No comments:
Post a Comment