Police now believe foul play involved in Decatur teen’s disappearance

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Police say they now believe foul play is involved in the disappearance of a DeKalb County teenager last month.

Anthony "AJ" Haszelton Jr., 16, vanished from his Decatur home April 16 and hasn't been heard from since. DeKalb County Police said they initially thought Haszelton was a runaway, but new evidence suggests something happened to him.

Channel 2′s Matt Johnson was at a press conference Friday afternoon, where police said that they need the public’s help to get more information about Haszelton’s disappearance.

Special Victims Unit Commander T.R. Golden said that in addition to searching for AJ, police are also searching for a 2000 4-door blue Honda Civic with the license plate RUR1584.

Police would not go into any details about what clues led them to think the teen’s disappearance was foul play.

Haszelton’s mother, Benji Abbey, also spoke out about her oldest son, who’s 17th birthday is in just 12 days. She said Haszelton loves sports and is a good student.

“AJ is a really good kid, and he’s really loved by everybody in our community,” she said through tears. “Everybody who ever encountered him knows he’s a good kid with a good heart.”

Abbey said the family has no idea where he is and that they are desperate for information.

“We are just going day-to-day in limbo,” she said. “We just want any information because he didn’t deserve this. It’s killing us inside not knowing where he. It’s scary that he’s in danger of being hurt, or even worse that he’s dead."

She said the family has set up a GoFundMe account to raise money for a reward for anyone with information about Haszelton’s disappearance.

Haszelton is 6'0 tall and was wearing a black Nike track suit and white sneakers when he was last seen.

If you have any information, call DeKalb County’s Special Victims Unit at 770-724-7710.

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