Search under way for missing boy — police

AMMAN — The family of an 11-year-old boy, who did not return home from a mosque on Thursday evening, say they are hopeful that the boy will eventually be found.

Yousef Mohammad left home and headed to a nearby mosque in an east Amman neighbourhood to perform evening prayers, and never made it back to his house, his uncle Maher Anabtawi told The Jordan Times.

“The mosque is only five minutes away from his house and he goes there every day,” Anabtawi said.

He added that the “child’s parents and his two brothers, aged 12 and eight, are devastated and very worried about him”.

“He is a responsible and calm child and has never done this before.  He always lends a hand to people and is a friendly boy,” Anabtawi noted.

The police were notified on Thursday and “they have been doing a great job in searching the area and questioning witnesses,” he said.

“The police have searched deserted areas in our neighbourhood and checked in all hospitals. They are taking the matter very seriously.”

The child’s father is a mechanic and his mother is a housewife, according to the boy’s uncle.

“His father does not have any enemies and we have no idea where the child went,” Anabtawi added, noting that his nephew was wearing a red t-shirt when he went missing.

Public Security Department Spokesperson Maj. Amer Sartawi told The Jordan Times that a search is ongoing for the missing boy.