12-year-old Charlie Bothuell V was presumed dead after he went missing from his father’s townhouse a week and a half ago. On Wednesday, while serving a search warrant on the home, police found Charlie hiding behind a makeshift barricade in the basement of his father’s home.
The basement had been searched thoroughly by police and cadaver dogs early on in the investigation. Authorities believe the boy was not in the basement when it was searched previously.
Charlie’s father, Charles Bothuell IV, said he last saw his son on June 16 when the boy disappeared after reportedly arguing with his stepmother.
Police say Charlie was hiding behind a 55-gallon drum and boxes. Food and bedding were found in the hiding place.
“He was nervous, but excited,” Craig said. “He indicated he was hungry. He appeared fine.”
The boy was found after police executed their fourth search warrant on the home. Investigators say Charlie did not come out of his hiding place or respond when police initially called his name.
Bothuell Sr. expressed surprise when Nancy Grace informed him that his son was found.
“I’m shocked. I looked. The Detroit police looked. The FBI looked,” he said. “To imply that I knew my son was in the basement is absurd.”
“I thought my son was dead,” he said as he broke down in tears and hugged a reporter.
Bothuell Sr. took a polygraph at police request. The results were inconclusive. Charlie’s stepmother refused to take a polygraph.
Charlie was evaluated and released from a Detroit hospital. Police won’t disclose where he is staying.
