It took more than a year, but authorities in South Florida are searching for a child who went missing when he was just 5 months old.

Hallandale Beach police said Thursday that Dontrell Melvin was last seen in July 2011 his father left with him, but returned home alone. They say 27-year-old Calvin Melvin Jr. told the boy's mother that he'd given him to his parents so Dontrell could have a better life.

The boy's mother waited more than a year to report him missing.

Reports say that child protective services also failed to act after a call was received at their abuse hotline last fall.

On Thursday night police said the boy's was at the police station. He's considered a person of interest.