Missing juvenile Muhammad Sakho was located unharmed in Upper Chichester at approximately 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Upper Chichester police later shared new details at 5:43 p.m., saying officers received a tip that the missing child may have been in the area earlier in the day.
PFC Connolly spotted Sakho walking near the intersection of Meetinghouse Road and Johnson Road, police said.
After confirming his identity, Sakho was transported to the Upper Chichester Police Department, where he was reunited with his parents and the Philadelphia Police Department’s Southwest Detective Division, authorities said.
Sakho, 10, had last been seen in the area of Penrose Elementary School on the 2500 block of S. 78th Street, Philadelphia, at approximately 8:10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Police said he “may be at special risk for harm or injury,” prompting the Missing Endangered Person Advisory and Amber Alert.
Penrose Elementary School Principal Carol Casciato said the school community was “saddened” and that both Philadelphia Police and PSP were searching for the missing fourth grader, she wrote in a message shared with families.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the family and friends of our student whom we hope will be found and safely returned to their family,” Casciato said in part.
Casciato also warned families that students may have noticed an increased police presence in the neighborhood as the search continued. She encouraged parents to keep a close eye on their children in the coming days and reach out if they showed signs of distress, noting school counselors and an emergency response team were available, according to the statement.
Captain Joseph Busa, the commanding officer of Southwest Detectives, said during a press conference on Wednesday that investigators believed Sakho was dropped off at school that morning by his father.
Busa said surveillance video showed Sakho entering the school cafeteria at 8:08 a.m. and leaving at 8:20 a.m., but his whereabouts after that were unknown.
“Due to Muhammad being 10 years old and the extreme weather conditions, we are extremely concerned,” Busa said during the briefing.
Sakho’s family also spoke during the press conference, urging anyone with information to come forward.
“My firstborn son is missing. He was dropped off at school. There is no reason this should have happened,” said Stephanie Chapman, Sakho’s mother. “I’m at a loss for words.”
Investigators have not said how Sakho got from the school to Upper Chichester, and additional information is expected to be released.
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