LAUDERHILL, Fla. – An 11-year-old boy from Lauderhill was found Thursday afternoon, after he'd vanished Wednesday morning, city police said.
Elijah Kurtzer’s parents told Lauderhill police that the boy left their home at about 8:30 a.m. for school. They said the child had expressed interest in traveling to Georgia.
When the child’s father returned home a few minutes later, he found his son’s book bag with his belongings in the stairwell of their building in the 4100 block of Northwest 26 St.
Miami-Dade police found Elijah standing on steps of the old county courthouse, police said.
Elijah, who'd gave police his brother's name, claimed he was dropped off by his parents and was lost, police said, adding that they believe the child was lying.
Authorities said the boy had his electronics taken away a day of two ago and had told his parents that he wanted to go back to Georgia, where they have family.
He has been placed temporarily in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families. He is expected to be released to his parents Friday during a hearing.
Lauderhill police said the boy had his electronics taken away days before his vanished and wanted to Georgia where he has family.
Elijah will stay with the Department of Children and Families on Thursday night as he gave police a false name.
He will appear before a judge on Friday as a formality and the judge is expected to let him go so he can return to his family.