The Utica Police Department has warned the public about misinformation online after a 13-year-old boy in Utica went missing spread false reports, according to a statement from law enforcement.
“Over the last several days multiple Missing Person Alert Facebook pages have populated regarding a missing 13 year old boy in Utica,” Utica Police officials wrote in a statement. “Some of those pages referred to this individual as a potential victim of child sex trafficking, and stated that he was in immediate danger.”
One page, titled Missing Child Alert, cites a recent charge of two individuals involved in a trafficking ring that spanned from Rome and Utica to New York City in April. Missing Child Alert went on to label Utica a “…documented predator territory” and posted that the 13-year-old was in danger.
The Utica Police Department’s statement released on July 27 says that the 13-year-old child has been returned safely to his home and his guardians.
“At no point was there even mention or information for anyone to believe that this child was in immediate danger or a victim of child trafficking,” Utica Police officials said. “The Utica Police Department worked closely with family members to locate the child, and were immediately informed as soon as he arrived back home. We are happy that he is safe and home in good health.”
The Utica Police Department went on to say its goal is to remain transparent and that if there was any potential that the 13-year-old was in immediate danger, the department would have released that and engaged with the community to locate them.
If there are ever any concerns or questions about public safety issues, contact the Utica Police Department at 315 735 3301.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Utica Police issue statement after missing child garners false info
Reporting by Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
