Boy, kidnapped in Georgia seven years ago, found in Colorado
On March 6, Colorado’s Douglas County Sheriff’s Office joined by the U.S. Marshals Service, the Kenner (Louisiana) Police Department, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, together announced the joyful recovery of a 14-year-old boy who had been missing for more than seven years.
The seven-year kidnapping case, which was featured in Netflix’s “Unsolved Mysteries,” finally came to an end on Feb. 23 when Abdul Aziz Khan was found after being missing since Nov. 17, 2017, police said. ~ ABC News
Abdul Aziz Khan was located and recovered by Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies while they were responding to a trespass call.
At approximately 3:37 p.m. on February 23, 2025, deputies were dispatched to a home on Kelliwood Way in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, to investigate a burglary in progress. Two individuals allegedly illegally entered the property, which was vacant and listed for sale. The homeowner, monitoring security cameras, observed the suspicious activity and immediately alerted authorities.
Deputies arrived on the scene and made contact with two children in a vehicle parked in the driveway. Shortly thereafter, a male and female exited the house, claiming to be associated with a realtor. Their story began to unravel as the deputies and dispatchers worked for four hours to verify their identities.
The female was finally identified as 40-year-old Rabia Khalid, who had an active warrant for kidnapping. Continued research verified the older child on scene was the victim of the kidnapping and is currently 14 years old. The investigation revealed that on November 27, 2017, Khalid, as a non-custodial parent, allegedly abducted her son, Aziz, from Atlanta, Georgia. Khalid was charged with felony kidnapping, and a warrant was issued for her arrest.
Khalid and 42-year-old Elliot Blake Bourgeois were arrested and booked into the Douglas County Jail on charges including Second Degree Kidnapping, Forgery, Identity Theft, Providing False Information to Authorities, and Trespassing. Bond was set at one million dollars each.
The children were taken into protective custody. The Sheriff’s Office said that the identity of the younger child is not being released at this time and that decisions about where the children will be placed will be made by the Court. According to CBS News in Colorado, it is hoped that Abdul Aziz Khan will be reunited with his father – who he hasn’t see now for a total of nine years. More on that story in the video accompanying this article.
The victim’s family is asking for privacy at this time. The family of Abdul Aziz Khan provided the following statement: “We’re overwhelmed with joy that Aziz has finally been found. We want to thank everyone for their support over the last seven years. We specifically want to recognize the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for their exceptional work in solving this case. Now, as we navigate the next steps, we ask for privacy so that we can move forward as a family and heal together.”
“Our deputies responded to what initially seemed like a routine trespass call, but through sharp attention to detail and tenacity, they uncovered the truth. Their ability to recognize the discrepancies in the suspects’ story and to follow the leads, even when the situation seemed unclear, ultimately led to the safe recovery of a child who had been missing for seven long years. I couldn’t be prouder of the work done by our team; this case highlights the commitment of our officers to seek justice and protect the most vulnerable. It’s a reminder of the incredible difference our work makes in the lives of those we serve,” said Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly.
“This significant development follows a lengthy seven-year search,” said U.S. Marshal Enix Smith III for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “I extend my sincere gratitude to all involved in the recovery effort, especially the authorities in Douglas County, Colorado for their swift and effective actions. Also, we would like to thank NCMEC, Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries, and Crimestoppers GNO for directing the public’s attention to this matter.”
“The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has worked closely with law enforcement and Aziz’s family since his disappearance, always believing he could be found. In family abduction cases, it can be difficult to garner public attention, but we knew that national media coverage was crucial—Aziz could have been anywhere. Thanks to the deputies’ keen instincts and the attention of both law enforcement and the public, Aziz is now safe. We know family reunifications can be challenging. As Aziz and his family reconnect and heal, NCMEC will continue to support them.” John Bischoff III, Vice President Missing Children Division, NCMEC. Have you seen this child? Abdul Aziz Khan
“I commend the training and professionalism of the deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and am proud that law enforcement worked collaboratively to bring resolve and closure to this family,” said Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley.
The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities are continuing to gather information to fully resolve this case. For more on the amazing recovery of young Abdul Aziz Khan, who had been reported missing seven years ago, see the video accompanying this article.
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(Source and images: Douglas County (Colorado) Sheriff’s Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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