Missing 5-Year-Old Boy Found Safe, But In Another County

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — The missing 5-year-old boy in DeKalb County has been found safe in family services custody, but not in DeKalb.

The grandmother of Lovell Barnett, 5, reported him missing Monday after not seeing him since April, DeKalb police said Friday. Lovell’s mom told investigators she left her son in the care of an acquaintance — who lives near Candler Road and Rainbow Drive — in mid-April. Shortly after, she was incarcerated in a nearby jurisdiction.

While incarcerated, Lovell’s mom said her son remained in the care of the acquaintance, who told her he was turned over to DeKalb County Family Services — but DCFS confirmed that it never had custody of the boy, police said. No child matching Lovell’s description was in DCFS care.

But investigators said around 8:20 p.m. Friday that Lovell is now safe in DCFS custody. He was found in family services care under another name in a nearby county.

Lovell’s mom — who is still incarcerated — is facing false statement charges, DeKalb police spokesperson Michaela Vincent said.

“We are thankful our detectives were able to put the pieces together and closure was brought to the boy’s grandmother,” police said.