DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- A DeKalb County family is breathing huge sighs of relief this weekend after they found their missing son only a mile from home.
The family reported 12-year-old Anthony Randolph III missing after he did not come home from school on Wednesday, March 21.
A flyer being shared widely said he was last seen getting off of the bus near Hairston Place in Decatur. He was last seen wearing a red coat with gray down the side, a blue button-down shirt, blue jeans and grey Jordan shoes with baby blue trim.
Randolph also wears glasses and was last seen wearing a MARVEL cap.
DeKalb County School Police handled the investigation, with assistance from Dekalb County Police, and released this statement to 11Alive News.
"The incident involving a Redan Middle School student is currently under investigation by DeKalb County Public Safety with assistance from the DeKalb County Police Department. DCSD continues to gather information and follow all leads. We are concerned about the well-being of this young man. The district remains steadfast in its commitment to providing a safe environment for our students and staff."
Anthony Randolph III's family then got the call they were hoping for on Friday afternoon when someone from the neighborhood told them he'd seen the boy at a BP gas station only a mile from the family's home.
"We rushed right over and picked him up," said Anthony Randolph, Jr., the boy's father.
Anthony Randolph, Jr. said his son is in good condition and that he told family members he ran away because he'd been bullied by other boys at school. The father said he has also been told the boy was abducted by someone in a dark car.
"At this point, I'm not really sure what happened to him," Anthony Randolph, Jr. said.
So far, Dekalb School Police have not commented further on what may have happened to the boy.
