UPDATE | A Florida Missing Child Alert has been canceled for 7-year-old Donovan Carruthers from Davenport after being safely located in California.
According to Haines City Police Detectives, the search for Donovan ended when Joseff Rhodes noticed the coverage on social media and called them.
“The good news and the bottom line here is Donovan is safe. The system has worked, although somewhat delayed, has worked," Haines City Chief of Police Gary Hester said.
Investigators feared for Donovan’s safety after his mother was murdered in Orange County ten days ago. Authorities were worried Donovan was with Rhodes, a convicted felon, who may have lived in Davenport.
“They were concerned that he was with Mr. Rhodes, who has an extensive criminal record, and it was also reported that Mr. Rhodes in the past was the boyfriend and/or, as it was reported to DCF, the pimp for Mrs. Carruthers,” Hester said.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, they have not arrested anyone in the murder. They have interviewed Rhodes and several other people, but they will not go into any other details about the investigation.
Hester said several agencies are trying to determine Rhodes relationship to the child.
“There’s more about this case than we do know. It’s been reported to us that Mr. Rhodes is not the biological father of Donovan,” Hester said.
According to the Rialto Police Department in CA, Donovan is in DCF custody.
“I’m sure the department of children and families both here and in CA will work to try to put the child in the best/safest environment they can place him in,” Hester said.
A representative with the Rialto Police Department told ABC Action News they are not investigating Rhodes.
#breaking Such great news! Donovan is SAFE at a police department in CA. He was with Rhodes. pic.twitter.com/D3HtOc50iI
— Andrea Lyon (@andrealyonTV) June 27, 2017
_____________________________________________________________
ORIGINAL STORY | A Florida Missing Child Alert has been issued for a 7-year-old boy from Davenport on Tuesday, June 27, 2017.
Donovan Carruthers is described as a white male, 7-years-old, 4-feet-tall, 60 pounds, black hair with brown eyes.
He was last seen in the area of the 100th block of Verbena Street in Davenport.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says Donovan may be in the company of Joseff Rhodes, a black male, 41-years-old, 5 feet 6 inches tall. Rhodes believes he is Donovan's father.
Amber Elizabeth Carruthers, Donovan's mother, was murdered in Orlando on June 18, 2017. A suspect was arrested and charged with her murder.
The Haines City Police Department tells ABC Action News that Donovan has been missing since his mother's murder and DCF has not been able to locate him.
Officials have told ABC Action News that DCF has not been able to locate Rhodes at his home. Rhodes' criminal history includes human trafficking charges.
NEW: Child's mother murdered in Orlando. The man with him has hefty charges against him including human trafficking. @abcactionnews https://t.co/xTcOcvx96i
— Andrea Lyon (@andrealyonTV) June 27, 2017
Officials do not want Donovan in Rhodes' care.
If you have any information about Donovan's whereabouts, please call the Haines City Police Department at 1-863-421-3636 or 911.
What constitutes a Missing Child Alert?
- The child must be under 18 years of age.
- The law enforcement agency's preliminary investigation must conclude that the child's life is in danger.
- Descriptive information and a photograph of the child must be available.
- The agency of jurisdiction must approve the issuance of the Missing Child Alert.
Missing Child Alert messages in Florida originate from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in Tallahassee. 1-888 356-4774
