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Amber Alert Issued For 13-Year-Old Deontae Mitchell, Believed Kidnapped In Detroit

By Patricia Ramirez
Published on: 03:57 PST, Jun 1, 2016

An Amber Alert has been issued and is still active for a Detroit teen. Deontae Mitchell, 13-years-old, hasn’t been seen since late Tuesday, and authorities believe that the youth was kidnapped on the city’s east side. Police issued the Amber Alert based on an eyewitness account from Deontae’s cousin.

According to the cousin, he and Deontae Mitchell had been riding bikes prior to the Amber Alert. He said that at about 10:30 p.m. local time, Deontae was snatched up by a man in a black 2002 Chevy Impala. The cousin said that after he was nabbed, he Deontae was held against his will. The alleged kidnapping happened after an altercation at a local market, say authorities.

According to police, prior to the Amber Alert being issued, the two boys had been at Warren Nino’s Market. There they saw a “drunk man” drop some money, which Deontae Mitchell reportedly stole from the scene. The aftermath of that incident resulted in an Amber Alert.

“The cousin stated a drunk man dropped some money while urinating outside the market. The cousin stated Deontae Mitchell picked up the money and both cousins pedaled off on their bicycles.”

The Amber Alert was issued after the cousin heard that Deontae had been forcibly grabbed by the man in the Impala. Deontae’s mother says that she hasn’t heard from her child since before the Amber Alert was issued. In fact, she hasn’t spoken to Deontae since later Tuesday. According to police, no demands have been made, reports the Detroit Free Press.

According to the Amber Alert, Fox 2 reports that Deontae is about 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighs roughly 86 pounds. The teen has black hair and hazel eyes and he was last seen dressed in gray jogging pants, black gym shoes, and a lime green Nautica shirt.

The Amber Alert describes the alleged kidnapper and suspect in the Amber Alert and possible abduction as being 5 feet 6 inches in height and weighing about 175 pounds. Witnesses say that he is probably in his late 30s or early 40s. The vehicle he was reportedly driving, a black 2002 Chevrolet Impala, is said to have a loud muffler.

Police have warned the public that the suspect in the Amber Alert is potentially armed and dangerous and should be treated as such. Authorities believe he may be packing a.22 caliber handgun.

The Amber Alert system has become an excellent tool for helping authorities bring missing and endangered kids home. Since its inception, it has been directly responsible for the safe recovery of over 800 kids. The success of the Amber Alert program has been due largely to social media and text messaging technology, and many states send out automated text notifications to residents when an Amber Alert is issued in the area.

As ABC News reports, the creation of the Amber Alert system followed the tragic outcome of an abduction that didn’t have a happy ending. Amber Hagerman, namesake of the Amber Alert, was abducted in January of 1996, when she was just 9-years-old. She was riding her bicycle near her home, and a witness saw her screaming and being forced into a truck. She had been riding with her younger brother before going off on her own to ride her bike over a nearby jump, and had only been alone for eight minutes when she was kidnapped.

Four days later, Amber’s body was found in a local creek. She was naked except for a sock, and her throat had been slashed by her killer. Unfortunately, no arrests have ever been made in the kidnapping and murder of Amber Hagerman, and her mother often wonders if the outcome of her abduction may have been different if an Amber Alert-type system had been in effect when she was taken.

“It’s bittersweet because Amber has saved so many children’s lives so far. It’s awesome, it’s great, but I can’t help but think what if there was an Amber Alert when she went missing?”

The Amber Alert system has proven to be an invaluable tool for bringing missing and endangered children home safely.

If you have any information about missing Detroit teen Deontae Mitchell, please call 911 or Detroit police at 313-596-2200.

The Amber Alert issued in his case will remain in effect until he is found.

[Image by Shutterstock]

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