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A 13-year-old boy who had been reported missing four years ago was discovered alive, hidden behind a fake wall.
The lad was discovered in a home near Atlanta, Georgia, and was reunited with his mother early this morning, police said.
Five people living in the home in Jonesboro, 17 miles south of Atlanta, were taken into custody, among them the boy's father, Gregory Jean, 37, and an adult female, said Sgt Kevin Hughes of the Clayton County police.
The suspects face charges of false imprisonment, cruelty to children and obstructing an officer, he said, adding that three juveniles also in the home were facing obstruction charges.
The boy's mother apparently had reported him missing to child welfare authorities but not to police; no missing person's report was filed in Clayton County, Hughes said.
Clayton County police were called to the home on Friday to look for the 13-year-old, but residents said they had no information about the boy being sought by authorities, Hughes said.
Channel 2 Action News/WSB-TV A 13-year-old boy reported missing four years ago
The teen was apparently able to get to a phone recently and contact his mother to let her know his whereabouts, authorities said.
"After a brief search of the premises, the officers left without locating the victim," police said in a statement.
Several hours later, authorities were called back. As police searched the residence, the boy was able to make phone contact with his mother, who relayed to officers where her son was hidden, Hughes 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 or if he was kept there only when visitors came to the house.
The boy appeared to be in good physical health and was reunited with his mother, who had come to Georgia from out of state, Hughes said.
Local media captured video of the boy tearfully hugging his mother at the police station.
The teen went missing in 2010 while visiting his father in Florida, WSBTV reported.
Jean was being held in Clayton County jail and no bail has been set, online records show.
Authorities said Jean and Samantha Joy Davis could face more criminal charges as the investigation unfolds.
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