Jorge Morales: Autistic boy, 6, abducted by father and grandmom amid custody battle found safe in Canada
MIAMI, FLORIDA: Jorge "Jojo" Morales, a 6-year-old autistic boy who had been missing since August 27, 2022, was found safe in Canada on Sunday, October 30. The boy was unharmed and in good health, authorities said. The six-year-old had allegedly been kidnapped by his father, Jorge Morales, and his grandmother Lilliam Morales, as per reports.
The duo kidnapped Jojo to keep him away from his mother, Yanet Leal Concepcion, amid a custody battle. “I’m just so happy because my son is okay, I feared the worst,” said Yanet. “Every mother fears the worst and I’m just.. I can’t my body is like leaving my soul. I’m just so happy I can’t stop crying," reported local10.
ALSO READ
Chloe Campbell FOUND SAFE: Missing Colorado girl, 14, located at residential address in Thornton
Meanwhile, authorities confirmed his father, Jorge Gabriel Morales, and grandmother, Lilliam Pena Morales, were taken into custody on Sunday, October 30, by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. “This is another example of how local, state, federal, and international law enforcement, along with the United States and State Attorney’s Office coming together for the safety of a child and will continue to work together to fight the greater evil,” Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Miami- Dade Police Department shared on Facebook, "BREAKING NEWS- The missing juvenile, Jorge "Jojo" Morales, has been recovered in Canada. We want to thank our local, state, federal, & international law enforcement, along with the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida (USAO-SDFL) & Office of the State Attorney - Katherine Fernandez Rundle for the collaboration on this case."
Miami-Dade police believed the child, his father, and his 68-year-old grandmother were around Maine or in some parts of Eastern Canada. Meanwhile, someone from Moncton, New Brunswick, informed the authorities on Saturday, October 29 that the trio was spotted in a Walmart. Yanet said, "Somebody called and somebody said something and I’m just so grateful for that person because it just took that, spreading the news, spreading the word, and people wanted to help.” She further continued, “I’ve never been this happy. This is only going to be topped by the moment I hug him. Nothing compares to this feeling, I’ve never had this feeling this happiness, I am just so blessed right now I don’t even know what to say.” The child is expected to reunite with his mother on Monday, October 31.
Meanwhile, there was a video released by the FBI on Wednesday, October 26, through the Facebook page of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children where the footage shows Jojo, his father, and JoJo's paternal grandmother at a Walgreens store in Houlton, Maine, more than 1,800 miles away from JoJo's home.
An Amber Alert was issued on September 2 regarding Jojo's missing case. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children also posted a video on their Facebook feed asking for the public’s help. Miami-Dade Police also said an abandoned vehicle in Littleton, Maine was found with personal items that are believed to be related to the child.