Boy missing for years found alive in ‘paedophile’s’ cupboard, police say

Police were searching suspected paedophile’s home when they found the boy

A missing teenager has been found alive hiding in the home of a suspected paedophile, German police said.

The 15-year-old had been missing for over two years when he was found hiding in a closet as police were conducting investigations on a 44-year-old man suspected of offences involving child sex abuse images.

Police in the city of Recklinghausen, western Germany, said that “there is currently no indication the boy was held in the apartment against his will”.

The teenager, named by local newspapers only as Marvin K, had been living in a shelter in a nearby town when he was reported missing by social workers in 2017.

According to German news site DW, authorities also arrested the suspect’s 77-year-old father, who lived in the same property, but later released him.

Police also seized electronic devices during their search.

Marvin’s mother told local reporters she barely recognised her son when they met.

She said: “The man with whom he was found must have manipulated Marvin. I could go crazy thinking about the things done to him.”

The 44-year-old suspect was remanded in custody on suspicion of carrying out serious sexual crimes.