Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Abducted Boy From Netflix ‘Unsolved Mysteries’ Documentary Found 7 Years Later
Abducted Boy From Netflix ‘Unsolved Mysteries’ Documentary Found 7 Years Later

Abducted Boy From Netflix ‘Unsolved Mysteries’ Documentary Found 7 Years Later

35

ADVERTISEMENT

A young boy who was featured in Netflix’s documentary series Unsolved Mysteries has been found safe, seven years after getting abducted.

Abdul Aziz Khan was only five years old when he was kidnapped in Atlanta, Georgia, by his mother and non-custodial parent Rabia Khalid amidst a yearslong custody suit with his father, as reported by Douglas County authorities.

Highlights
  • Abdul Aziz Khan was abducted by his mother — and was found 7 years later by chance.
  • The boy had been missing since age 5.
  • The case was highlighted on Netflix's 'Unsolved Mysteries' and helped raised awareness.

And his unexpected discovery was completely based on luck.

BP Daily - Your Source for Unbiased Reporting

    Abdul Aziz Khan disappeared seven years ago and was found safe in late February by authorities

    Young boy smiling outdoors, wearing a red and navy striped shirt.

    Image credits: Netflix

    1,500 miles away from Colorado, police officers were alerted to a burglary on February 23. The unidentified owner of the vacant Highlands Ranch house had seen two intruders on their security cameras before dialing 911. 

    When authorities arrived, they found two children in the back of a car that was parked in the driveway. The identity of the younger child has not yet been disclosed, but the older of the two was none other than Aziz. 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The two adults, Khalid and Elliot Blake Bourgeois, were arrested subsequently, even after claiming they were associated with the realtor of the home. 

    They were booked into the Douglas County Jail on charges that included second-degree kidnapping, forgery, identity theft, providing false information to authorities, and trespassing.

    Their bond was set at $1,000,000 each, said officials in a press release.

    Smiling boy in a red and blue shirt stands in front of lush greenery, related to Netflix's 'Unsolved Mysteries.

    Image credits: Netflix

    Father and son reunited after boy's disappearance; sitting in a toy store.

    Image credits: Netflix

    “Our deputies responded to what initially seemed like a routine trespass call, but through sharp attention to detail and tenacity, they uncovered the truth,” said Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly. 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “Their ability to recognize the discrepancies in the suspects’ story and to follow the leads, even when the situation seemed unclear, ultimately led to the safe recovery of a child who had been missing for seven long years.” 

    And Aziz’s reunion with the rest of his family was nothing less than miraculous.

    Authorities had initially responded to a burglary call

    Two individuals smiling against a blue background related to Netflix 'Unsolved Mysteries' documentary on abducted boy.

    Image credits: Netflix

    In a statement, they said, “We’re overwhelmed with joy that Aziz has finally been found. We want to thank everyone for their support over the last seven years. We specifically want to recognize the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for their exceptional work in solving this case. 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “Now, as we navigate the next steps, we ask for privacy so that we can move forward as a family and heal together.” 

    Khalid and Aziz’s father Abdul first separated in 2014, according to Missing Kids, where the former moved from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Atlanta, Georgia, taking her son with her. 

    Khalid reportedly made visits difficult, and it is believed she took Aziz and fled in an act of panic after convincing herself she would lose custody of her child.

    Smiling boy from Netflix 'Unsolved Mysteries' documentary joyfully hugs a man indoors.

    Image credits: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

    Suspicions then arose when Khalid failed to show up for a custody hearing in November of 2017. 

    Now that the case has been solved, it appears Netflix’s publicization did a lot of good in the long run.

    “This significant development follows a lengthy seven-year search,” said U.S. Marshal Enix Smith III for the Eastern District of Louisiana in a statement.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “I extend my sincere gratitude to all involved in the recovery effort, especially the authorities in Douglas County, Colorado for their swift and effective actions. 

    “Also, we would like to thank NCMEC, Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries, and Crimestoppers GNO for directing the public’s attention to this matter.”

    A dispute battle between Aziz’s father and mother was what kick-started his abduction

    Sierra Norman's comment about an abducted boy's story from Netflix documentary.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Comment by Veronica Madeline reacting to the news of the abducted boy from Netflix documentary being found.

    Comment discussing love for Unsolved Mysteries show, referencing childhood memories of Robert Stack.

    Comment by Vera Burgic: "Sadly this is what happens when there’s a custody battle... good that he’s been found," about abducted boy.

    Facebook comment about the abducted boy from Netflix 'Unsolved Mysteries' being found safe.

    Janice Dumka's comment on abducted boy being found, expressing relief and gratitude.

    Jane Dagley comments on abducted boy from Netflix documentary being found safe.

    Comment about abducted boy from Netflix 'Unsolved Mysteries' documentary, expressing relief he was found safe.

    Comment expressing relief about abducted boy from Netflix documentary found safe.

    Comment about the abducted boy's situation from Netflix's Unsolved Mysteries documentary.

    Comment discussing 14-year-old's choice, related to abducted boy from Netflix documentary.

    Comment about the found abducted boy from Netflix's 'Unsolved Mysteries,' expressing concern for the child's situation.

    Share on Facebook

    Explore more of these tags

    Michelle Tian

    Michelle Tian

    Writer, Community member

    Read more »

    Hi, there! I'm a newswriter at Bored Panda, born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. I have a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University, as well as a philosophy minor. A few of my other hobbies include dancing, reading, cooking, or listening to a true crime podcast. My favourite thing to report on includes groundbreaking news in the field of science — particularly marine biology! I definitely didn't do well very well studying it in school, but being a journalist lets me live out those dreams in a different and exciting way!

    Read less »
    Michelle Tian

    Michelle Tian

    Writer, Community member

    Hi, there! I'm a newswriter at Bored Panda, born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. I have a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University, as well as a philosophy minor. A few of my other hobbies include dancing, reading, cooking, or listening to a true crime podcast. My favourite thing to report on includes groundbreaking news in the field of science — particularly marine biology! I definitely didn't do well very well studying it in school, but being a journalist lets me live out those dreams in a different and exciting way!

    What do you think ?
    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would hate to grow up the way Aziz will, his life on display everywhere he goes. Poor kid.

    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would hate to grow up the way Aziz will, his life on display everywhere he goes. Poor kid.

    You May Like
    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT