A young boy whose disappearance was highlighted in a Netflix true crime documentary has been safely located after seven years.
Abdul Aziz Khan went missing from his home in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2017, shortly after Thanksgiving. His case, which seemed to be turning into an unsolved mystery, was later featured in Netflix’s documentary series Unsolved Mysteries.
The series sheds light on unresolved cases, aiming to raise awareness and encourage the public to come forward with information. At the end of each episode, viewers are provided with details on where they can submit relevant tips.
In Abdul’s case, it was believed that he was taken by his mother, Rabia Khalid, following a court decision granting full custody to his father.
Now, after years of searching, he has been found 1,500 miles away in Colorado under unexpected circumstances.
According to The Mirror, law enforcement officers discovered the missing teen while responding to a report of a potential home burglary. A homeowner contacted authorities after noticing two individuals on the security cameras of a property listed for sale as of February 23.
Upon arriving at the scene, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office found two children inside a car parked in the driveway. Meanwhile, two adults were reported to be inside the residence.
Authorities later identified the individuals as Rabia Khalid, 40, and Elliot Blake Bourgeois, 42. Both were taken into custody and are facing multiple charges, including Second Degree Kidnapping, Forgery, Identity Theft, Providing False Information to Authorities, and Trespassing. Their bond has been set at $1,000,000 each.
Abdul is now in protective care, while the identity of the second child in the vehicle has not been disclosed.
Following the discovery, Abdul’s family expressed their immense relief and gratitude in a statement:
“We’re overwhelmed with joy that Aziz has finally been found. We want to thank everyone for their support over the last seven years. We specifically want to recognize the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for their exceptional work in solving this case. Now, as we navigate the next steps, we ask for privacy so that we can move forward as a family and heal together.”
Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly praised his team’s dedication, stating:
“Our deputies responded to what initially seemed like a routine trespass call, but through sharp attention to detail and tenacity, they uncovered the truth. Their ability to recognize inconsistencies in the suspects’ story and to follow the leads, even when the situation seemed unclear, ultimately led to the safe recovery of a child who had been missing for seven long years.”
Image credits: Netflix
Additionally, U.S. Marshal Enix Smith III from the Eastern District of Louisiana acknowledged the efforts of Unsolved Mysteries, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), and CrimeStoppers for bringing attention to the case, which played a crucial role in its resolution.