LAUDERHILL, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have located an 11-year-old Lauderhill boy in Downtown Miami, more than 24 hours after he disappeared while on his way to school.
According to Lauderhill Police, a Miami-Dade Police officer found a boy matching the description of Elijah Kurtzer outside the Miami-Dade County Courthouse, Thursday afternoon. Officials said the boy gave the officer the name of one of his siblings.
As the officer was talking to the Florida Department of Children and Families, he saw the boy’s picture on 7News. Authorities confirmed the boy’s identity shortly after.
Investigators said Kurtzer had left his parent’s home at the Cypress Tree Apartments, located along the 2200 block on Northwest 41st Street, Wednesday, at approximately 8:30 a.m.
A few minutes later, Elijah’s father located his backpack with his belongings in the stairwell of their building.
An attempt to locate him was made by a police officer, but the officer was not successful.
School officials also stated that he did not show up that day.
Investigators said the boy had recently gotten in trouble with his father, who took away his electronics as punishment. Police found extra clothes in the backpack the child was carrying, so they believe he had likely run away from home.
Kurtzer had previously expressed interest in commuting to Georgia.
Officials do not believe foul play was involved. They are attempting to determine how the boy got to Miami-Dade County.
Kurtzer is currently in DCF custody.
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