24 February 2023 , 13:49
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An eight-year-old boy missing for eight months has been found thousands of miles away - leaving police completely baffled.
Breadson John was reported missing from Vancouver, Washington, US on June 17 after cops were called to the child's home amid "concerns for his welfare", according to the FBI.
Police were dispatched to check on the missing child but could not find Breadson after neighbours were concerned for the child's wellbeing.
The FBI put up missing signs of Breadson in January after authorities learned he had been taken to Jasper County, Missouri in August.
They were unclear of how the missing boy ended up there or what he had been doing since.
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Police had said in an earlier statement, despite multiple attempts to contact the boy's family, there had been no information released on his whereabouts.
They said: "Since June 2022, Vancouver Police Detectives have attempted to contact multiple family members to determine if Breadson is with family or is truly missing,"
"To date, the family members that have been contacted have not provided investigators information related to the whereabouts of Breadson and he has not been located."
But on February 17, Breadson was found unharmed in Jasper County, Missouri by officials.
The child was found thousand of miles away from his home (FBI)Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Seattle field office, said: "Breadson's recovery would not have been possible without the combined efforts of the Vancouver Police Department, FBI Kansas City, and the Jasper County Sheriff's Office.
"We are relieved at this outcome and how quickly we were able to resolve it."
Officials believe Breadson was flown out to Missouri in late August with his grandad after he was found safe with an aunt last week.
The FBI had been tracking the child's movements after he was discovered to be in Jasper County.
Steve Bernd, a spokesperson with the FBI’s Seattle office, said: "The grandfather flew back to Washington state, and Breadson was not with him."
It remains unclear if the child had been enrolled in school but officials are thankful he has been found safe and well.
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Mr Bernd said: “You think the worst when you hear a child is missing. Just to get him back safe and alive, everyone is very pleased with how this played out."
Washington Child Protective Services department are heading to collect the boy and bring him back to his home.
Child authorities will now determine who has custody of the young boy.