Columbus police find 10-year-old boy safe

A 10-year-old boy who was reported abducted has been located, according to Columbus police.

Lt. Joyce Dent-Fitzpatrick alerted media via email, stating: “At this time, we have located the child. We want to especially thank the community for your tips, calls and effort in assisting us with locating the child. The person operating the van has been identified and is a relative. The child is safe. Thanks.”

In a text to the Ledger-Enquirer, Mayor Teresa Tomlinson said the child wasn’t abducted.

The announcement came a day after Columbus police issued a BOLO alert, notifying local media that they were investigating an incident that occurred 8 p.m. on Ventura Drive near its intersection with Ballanca Street.

“Witnesses stated that a black male in his late 30s or early 40s pulled a white male about 10 years of age into the van and left the scene,” according to the release, which included a photo of a white van. “... The 10 year old white male had black hair and was wearing an orange tee shirt and jeans. He was riding a green bicycle prior to the incident but the bicycle wasn’t left at the scene.”

Two 12-year-olds were with the victim prior to the incident, according to the release. Witnesses described the vehicle as a white utility van.

On Tuesday morning, Tomlinson said witnesses reported an abduction, but no family had reported a child missing.

“At this time there is not any additional information available,” Dent-Fitzpatrick wrote in the release announcing that the child was safe. “We are conducting interviews and will keep you posted.

This story was originally published June 6, 2017 at 1:49 PM with the headline "Columbus police find 10-year-old boy safe."