Hundreds of people join search for missing 6-year-old child

WEST CHESTER TWP, Ohio (WXIX) – The search continues for a missing 6-year-old boy with autism from West Chester Township.

Six-year-old Joshua Al-Latif was last seen around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday near his family’s Windtree Drive apartment, said Barb Wilson of West Chester County police.

According to a recording of the call, his older brother called 911 to report him missing. Police said Thursday they had no reason to suspect foul play was involved.

While volunteers checked trees, dumpsters and other places where the boy might have found shelter from the cold, first responders controlled drones in the air and boots on the ground.

Another possibility officials are investigating is whether Al-Latif’s attraction to water could have led him to one of eight retention ponds at the apartment complex where he lives, West Chester Fire Chief Rick Prince explained Thursday.

“They break the lake into a grid and search each grid very methodically,” Prince described. “So there are teams that are physically in the water and on the water with boats.”

Crews searched several lakes but Al-Latif was not found, Chief Prince said.

Now, nearly 24 hours after the search began, Prince says efforts will expand to bodies of water outside the apartment complex.

Since no sign of Al Latif, who is 4 feet tall and weighs 44 pounds, has been found, police are urging residents and businesses to check the area.

“Businesses and residents, check your homes, under decks, in your shed if you have one,” Interim West Chester Police Chief Brian Rebholz said Thursday.

Volunteers searching for Joshua have been assigned to search the south of the apartment complex. Previously, a large number of them had been assigned to search the northern region. There is currently a briefing for volunteers where they share all this information. @FOX19 pic.twitter.com/J39MknZJd4

— Ken Brown (@Fox19KenBrown) November 21, 2024

Al-Latif is described as 4 feet tall and weighing 44 pounds.

He was last seen wearing the following:

Light brown shirt
Tan trousers
Black, red and white Nike shoes
Jacket

Six-year-old Joshua Al-Latif was last seen around 5.30pm on November 20 near his home on Windtree Drive.

Police say Al-Latif may run away if approached. He is also known to love water and parks.

“This is a joint operation,” Rebholz explained the scope of the search effort.

This is just a small sample of the volunteers who searched for 6-year-old Joshua in West Chester this morning. We’re told more than 300 people have volunteered to help with the search. @FOX19 pic.twitter.com/23o0CRaUMt

— Ken Brown (@Fox19KenBrown) November 21, 2024

More than 300 volunteers and eight agencies are helping West Chester departments find Al-Latif.

Among those helping is Lindsey Amyx.

She said that as a mother she felt she needed help in the search.

“I have two children, and to know what this mother is going through… I have a 19-year-old child, and he is also autistic,” Amyx explained. “So I feel it in my heart. Knowing it’s cold outside, I just really want to help him and his family.”

Police say those wishing to help in the search should follow the links at the end of this article.

If you see Al Latif, call 513-777-2231.

Help poster for missing West Chester boy(West Chester Police Department)

clarification: West Chester police initially said Joshua was 7 years old. His correct last name has also been updated by police.

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