DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A search continued over the weekend and entered its sixth day on Tuesday for a two-year-old boy missing out of DeKalb County.
The case has taken several turns since J'Asiah Mitchell was first reported missing last Wednesday night, setting off search efforts.
His mom pleaded for help getting him home safe. "Just try your best to bring my baby back home safe and just pray that he's OK," she told 11Alive last Thursday.
Full timeline
- Wednesday night, August 16:
J'Asiah is first reported missing by his father, Artavious North, who claimed the child was kidnapped during an armed robbery.
- Thursday morning, August 17:
DeKalb County Police send out a kidnapping alert, asking for the for the public's help. Later in the day, police mention that they requested an Amber Alert from the GBI but claim the disappearance did not meet the criteria.
Specifically, GBI said it was “lacking enough descriptive information about the abductor/vehicle. Agents did assist with getting the media advisory out." The initial media advisory just listed a "Black Sedan".
- Thursday afternoon, August 17:
DeKalb County Police release an update stating that the kidnapping can no longer be verified. Shortly after, the family posts about heading to the Lakeview Apartments in East Point to search. They are joined by East Point Police, DeKalb Police and game wardens, searching buildings and surrounding woods.
- Thursday night, August 17:
DeKalb County Jail records show the child's father was booked and charged with false statements and false report of a crime.
Police later provide an update, saying J'Asiah's father was arrested after making false reports to police that he was robbed at gunpoint and the toddler was kidnapped. Police said that was all made up.
Bags of evidence were taken from the East Point complex Thursday night. It's not clear, though, how any of that evidence might fit into the case.
- Friday, August 18:
East Point Police now take over the investigation. Crews begin searching a Griffin landfill as well as a lake by the apartment complex from the day before. The father had been staying there, according to the child's mother. Officers note that these are not necessarily leads but rather they are "trying everything and checking off boxes."
- Saturday, August 19:
Artavious North has a magistrate court appearance where he is denied bond.
- Monday, August 21:
East Point Police confirm that North is the only person of interest in the case, at this time. They also confirm that nothing was found in the lake after taking multiple days to drain it. Officers said they are working with other agencies, as well as interviewing new people and those previously interviewed.