Teen, missing for 4 years, found safe behind false wall in Georgia home
JONESBORO, GA (KTRK) -- A teenager who was reported missing four years ago is now reunited with his mother. He was found safe, hidden behind a false wall in a Georgia home.
ABC affiliate WSB reports the 13-year-old boy was found after repeated calls to police.
Officers were called to a Jonesboro home Friday to check on a child's welfare. Clayton County police Sgt. Kevin Hughes tells WSB, "Upon initial arrival, responding officers made contact with several occupants at the location who denied having knowledge of any information concerning the victim. After a brief search of the premises, the officers left without locating the victim."
However, after a second call on Saturday, police returned and searched the home more thoroughly. Police say the boy was able to call his mother and she called police relaying more information about his whereabouts -- behind a false wall in the home.
The boy's father, Gregory Jean, 37, was arrested along with Samantha Joy Davis, 42. They are both charged with false imprisonment, cruelty to children and obstruction. Three other people arrested at the home were juveniles.
The boy, whose name has not been released, is now with his mother.
The boy's ordeal apparently began in 2010 while he was visiting his father from Florida and his father refused to return him to his mother.
Police told WSB the child's mother apparently reported the boy missing to child welfare authorities, but not previously to police, possibly because she's an immigrant unfamiliar with the system.
