DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County police say a 5-year-old boy who had allegedly been missing since April was found in foster care in a nearby county with a different name.
They did not elaborate on how or why this happened or who was charged, saying the case is still under investigation.
#Update: Lovell has been found safe!
— DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) August 7, 2021
Our investigation determined that he is in foster care in a nearby county under a different name! False Statement charges are now pending in this case. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SHARED! #WeAreDKPD
DeKalb County Police said Lovell Barnett’s grandmother had reported him missing on Aug. 2. She said she had not seen the boy since April.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Barnett’s mother told investigators that she left her son in the care of an acquaintance near Candler Road and Rainbow Drive shortly before she went to jail in another county.
TRENDING STORIES:
- APD releases photos of new possible witness in Piedmont Park killing
- Deputies release sketch of suspect in RaceTrac clerk killing
- Couple says they lost almost everything after hiring company for move to Georgia
While she was in jail, Barnett’s mother said he remained with the acquaintance, who later told her he had been turned over to the Department of Children and Family Services.
Police could not determine the identity of the acquaintance, and DCFS confirmed that they did not have a child matching Barnett’s description in the system.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2021 Cox Media Group
