Authorities in Colorado recently located a boy who had been missing for seven years. In 2017, Abdul Aziz Khan went missing from Atlanta. His mother allegedly kidnapped him. Police found the now-14-year-old boy on February 23, 2025, across the country. They made the discovery by chance. They went to a house for sale, investigating a burglary in progress. When they got there, they noticed some behavior that pointed toward Khan’s kidnapping.
During the search, they came across a vehicle with “several identifications,” The Independent reports. They also saw two children. As police approached one child standing in the driveway, he “immediately called the two people inside.” This led authorities to believe that he had been “coached” on how to respond to police, Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said.
A man and woman came out of the house. They claimed they were associated with the real estate agent. Police questioned the couple. After four hours, they identified the woman as Rabia Khalid. She had an active warrant out for kidnapping.
Back in 2017, in Louisiana, Khalid lodged accusations against Khan’s father. The charges against him were dismissed and it seemed as if he were going to gain full custody of their son. In response, Khalid left with their child.
During a press conference, Weekly said they are not sure if Khan understands that he was kidnapped. Khan’s father has not seen him in nine years. Weekly said the boy will likely have to adjust to living with him. “This is the only life that Aziz has known so it is going to take some time,” he said during a press conference.
Meanwhile, Khalid and her husband, Elliot Blake Bourgeois, were arrested on second-degree kidnapping, forgery, identity theft, providing false information to authorities, and trespassing. While the investigation continues, a preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 27. Both Khalid and Bourgeois are held at the Douglas County Jail on a $1 million bond each.
Authorities believe the couple have traveled all over the country before they ended up in Colorado. The two children in the car seemed healthy.
Khan’s family is happy for the reunion. “We’re overwhelmed with joy that Aziz has finally been found. We want to thank everyone for their support over the last seven years. Now, as we navigate the next steps, we ask for privacy so that we can move forward as a family and heal together,” the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said in a statement released on behalf of the child’s family.
