A trespassing phone call led to the discovery and rescue of a young boy who was the subject of a high-profile kidnapping and emerged in Netflix’s “Unsolved Mysteries.”
Officials from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado announced that Abdul Aziz Khan, 14, had been recovered and the two were arrested for disappearance seven years ago.
“We are overwhelmed by the fact that Aziz has finally been discovered. We want to thank everyone for their support,” Aziz’s family shared in a statement with the agency.
“Now, as we browse the next step, we ask for privacy so that we can move forward as a family and recover together.”
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Abdul Aziz Khan was reportedly kidnapped by his non-habitual mother and her new husband in 2017. (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)
Aziz reportedly kidnapped Atlanta, Georgia by his non-custodial mother, 40-year-old Rabia Khalid.
according to National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Police said Khalid failed to hold a custody hearing in Atlanta on November 27, 2017. US Marshal Services said she packed her luggage and fled with Aziz and her new husband and was identified as Elliot Blake Bourgeois, 42.
According to Abdul, Aziz’s father, Abdul, believes that over time, Aziz moved from New Orleans to Atlanta for a new job, making it increasingly difficult for him. This triggered a new, bitter custody battle between Abdul and Khalid, which lasted for several years.
Abdul told the NCMEC that despite having more than 400 miles apart, he and Aziz spent as much time together. “I made a whole work schedule around Aziz,” Abdul said. “I visit him every other weekend and I will take him to New Orleans so that he can be with his family.”
The center added, “It is obvious that Khalid will lose custody of Aziz.”
In a press conference Wednesday, the U.S. Marshal Service said it searched Khalid and Aziz in 11 different states.
But until February 23, representatives from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office were sent to vacant houses at the Colorado Highland Ranch for reporting theft.
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Abdul Aziz Khan, 14, who disappeared seven years ago, was arrested on kidnapping charges. (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)
When deputies arrived at home, they found two adults near the property and placed the two children in a vehicle parked in the driveway of the house.
Officials said the couple claimed to have connections with real estate agents, but their story quickly began to disband after they discovered their identity.
The woman was identified as Khalid, with an active kidnapping order, and the man was identified as bourgeoisie.
“Our deputies responded to what seemed to be routine initially a trespassing call, but by steep attention to detail and tenacity, they found the facts. They were able to recognize the differences in the suspect’s story and follow the prospects, even if the situation seemed unclear, which eventually led to a seven-year restoration of security that had been restored for seven years,” Douglas County said. ”
Aziz’s story also made national headlines. Covered by Netflix’s “Unsolved Mysteries.”
Officials say the allegations faced by Khalid and the bourgeoisie include second-degree kidnapping, forgery, identity theft, false information and intrusion to the authorities.
Their bonds are set at $1 million and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 27.
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A kidnapped boy was kidnapped in Netflix’s “Unsolved Mystery” for seven years. (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
Aziz is placed in protective custody with another child who has not released his identity.
The weekly said he had the “privileged” to meet the victim’s family and said: “There are no dry eyes in the room.”
“This family has a long way to go before them. But our team will gradually walk with them as they browse this journey. We hope they find recovery and hope in the days, weeks, months, and even years,” the weekly magazine said.
“I cannot be proud of the work the team does; this case highlights the most vulnerable commitments of our officers to seek justice and protection. It reminds us of the incredible differences our work makes for the lives of the people we serve. It reminds us of all our work.”
Officials said the investigation is still ongoing and authorities are continuing to collect information to completely resolve the case.
“This significant development follows a seven-year search,” U.S. Marshal Enix Smith III said in a statement on the Eastern District of Louisiana. “I sincerely thank all those involved in the recovery work, especially the authorities in Douglas County, Colorado for their swift and effective actions. In addition, we would like to thank Netflix, Netflix’s unresolved mysteries and Crimestoppers GNO for directing the public to this matter.”
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John Bischoff III, vice president of the Missing Children Division (NCMEC), the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, also shared his gratitude for Khan’s safe return and the work of law enforcement agencies.
“Since the disappearance, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has worked closely with law enforcement and Aziz’s family and has always believed he could be found,” Bisov said.
“In a family kidnapping case, it may be difficult to get public attention, but we know that the national media coverage is crucial – Ziz could have been anywhere. Aziz is now safe thanks to the keen intuition of deputies and the attention of law enforcement and the public. We know that family reunion can be challenging.
Stepheny Price is a writer at Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, state crime cases, illegal immigration and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
