9-year-old Baltimore boy found safe after missing the longest of any child his age in the state’s history

After six months of uncertainty, a 9-year-old Baltimore boy who captured hearts has been discovered secure.

On Friday, March 13, the workplace of Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott introduced that Tristan King had been situated lower than two miles from the place he was first reported lacking.

“I share the reduction and gratitude of the entire Baltimoreans who’ve hoped and prayed for Tristan’s secure return for months,” Scott stated in a launch. “I need to thank the Baltimore Police Division, the U.S. Marshals Service, and all our companions who labored tirelessly to carry Tristan dwelling, in addition to the group members who got here ahead with info to assist investigators.”

King, who had been dwelling underneath the authorized guardianship of his grandmother, disappeared following a sequence of destabilizing occasions in his younger life, the Baltimore Banner reported. Months earlier than his disappearance, he was dwelling in a Baltimore row dwelling along with his grandmother and great-aunt when his grandmother suffered a stroke. Shortly afterward, the house was destroyed in a fireplace. Whereas his grandmother recovered in a nursing facility, King moved right into a tent in an alley along with his great-aunt, who struggled with substance abuse.

At one level the 2 have been quickly staying in a motel by means of public help applications, however when that association ended, his great-aunt surrendered him to the state. In line with officers, King fled after being picked up by a toddler providers caseworker, leaping from the automobile. He was reported lacking on Sept. 24, 2025, and had not been seen since.

Within the months that adopted, his disappearance turned a case many throughout Maryland adopted intently, significantly because the search stretched into one of many area’s coldest winters on file. As he grow to be the kid lacking for the longest at his age within the state’s historical past, his state of affairs additionally raised questions on how susceptible youngsters can slip by means of the cracks of already fraying methods. At one level, King had been unenrolled from faculty, and his lacking individuals case was mistakenly closed earlier than being reopened, the Baltimore Banner reported.

Authorities in the end situated him after a multiagency search inside a row home within the metropolis’s Curtis Bay neighborhood, following public suggestions, WBFF reported. Officers say the boy was instantly taken to a hospital for medical and psychological evaluations.

Whereas there had beforehand been plans for him to stay with one other member of the family earlier than he ran away, it’s unclear if that is still an possibility. He has since spoken with members of the family, together with his grandmother.

“In the present day, Maryland breathes a prayer of reduction that Tristan King has been discovered after months of worry, heartbreak, and uncertainty,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore stated in an announcement. “The primary precedence now could be ensuring Tristan is secure, supported, and surrounded by the care he wants to start therapeutic. We’re deeply grateful to everybody who helped carry him dwelling — together with legislation enforcement, youngster welfare professionals, group members, and each one who refused to cease in search of him. We owe Tristan motion, not excuses, and we’ll hold working to ensure no youngster falls by means of the cracks like this once more.”

To guard Tristian’s privateness, officers say no further particulars about the place he spent the final six months or the circumstances of his restoration might be launched right now.