Police say 14-year-old abducted teen found ‘safe’ in Brampton
Posted March 4, 2020 11:27 pm.
Last Updated March 6, 2020 6:06 pm.
Toronto police say a 14-year-old boy who was the subject of an Amber Alert has been found safe after he was allegedly abducted on his way to school.
Police sources told 680 NEWS the boy was found at a rural property on Heritage Road in Brampton.
The teen was taken to hospital for a medical checkup but police have not provided an update on his condition.
Investigators are expected to provide more information about the case at a news conference Friday morning at police headquarters.
GREAT NEWS!! The 14 y/o boy abducted from Jane/Finch area because of brothers’ unpaid drug debt has been found safe & now back with his parents. He was dropped off at this rural property in northwest Brampton. The suspects remain at large. Full story on 680 NEWS!! pic.twitter.com/UzmmWGjktQ
— carl hanstke (@carlCityNews) March 6, 2020
The news came hours after police revealed the boy’s abduction was retribution for an unpaid drug debt owed by his stepbrother.
Supt. Steven Watts said the deal in question dates back to the summer of 2019 and involves 100 kilograms of cocaine with an approximate value of $4 million.
“You need to release (him),” Watts said in a direct appeal to the kidnappers. “This is a 14-year-old, innocent child. He is not a part of that business, he is not a part of that lifestyle.”
Police said the boy was last seen in the area of Jane Street and Driftwood Avenue at around 8:25 a.m. on Wednesday while walking to school. It was then that police say “two to three males” forced the boy into a black Jeep Wrangler.
The suspects are described as men between 18 and 22 years old, who were wearing bandanas and black jackets.
Watts said the burned-out vehicle has since been found near the town of Caledon, northwest of the city.
The Toronto District School Board said four staff members at Newtonbrook Secondary School have been placed on home assignment while the board investigates why the parents of the abducted teen were not notified about his absence from school until after 6:09 p.m. on Wednesday.
TDSB spokesperson Ryan Bird said attendance reporting is done each period with automated absence calls going out twice a day.
Both the union representing high school teachers and the TDSB told CityNews the current work to rule campaign had no impact on the attendance report not being filed on time.
