Missing person: 16-year-old boy, gray hoodie, backpack
Description
I am Priya Patel, and I lost my 16-year-old son, Ethan Rivera, yesterday around 5:45 pm. He is about 5 feet 6 inches tall, wiry, with curly dark hair and hazel eyes. He was wearing a gray Nike hoodie, black jeans, and white sneakers, carrying a blue backpack with a rocket patch. He also has a small compass tattoo on his left wrist and wears a green silicone bracelet with the initials VR that he never takes off. We last saw him near the Valdosta Mall parking lot off Baytree Road after leaving Kohl's, heading toward St. Augustine Road. I am really worried and just want him safe back home.
Approximate last-seen location
Pin shows an approximate area, not the exact spot — to protect privacy.
How to safely get your item back
A short checklist to protect you and the item during the handoff.
Verify the finder before meeting
- Ask them to describe a detail not shown in your listing, such as an engraving, scratch, or contents.
- Request a clear photo of the item from an angle you did not post.
- Do not pay any release, shipping, or storage fee.
- Do not share your full address until you have verified them.
Meet in a safe, public place
- Police stations, café entrances, transport hubs, and shop foyers all work.
- Meet during daylight hours where there is CCTV and foot traffic.
- Avoid private homes, car parks at night, or isolated locations.
Bring someone with you
- Tell a friend or family member where you are meeting and when.
- Share your live location with them during the handoff.
- For high-value items, consider contacting your local police station for advice first.
Keep communication on lostandfound.io
- Use the in-app message thread so there is a record if something goes wrong.
- Do not move to WhatsApp, SMS, or email until you have exchanged a verifying detail.
- Never share bank details, government ID numbers, or copies of your ID.