A press release from the DCSO revealed that in cooperation with the U.S. Marshals Service, the Kenner (Louisiana) Police Department, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Abdul was recovered after Douglas County Deputies responded to a trespassing call at a home in Highlands Ranch, CO to investigate a reported burglary in progress.
Responding police saw two individuals enter the property, which the owners indicated was vacant and for sale. The homeowner reportedly spotted the pair on surveillance and summoned the police. When police arrived they encountered two children in a vehicle parked outside the residence, a man and woman exited the home and claimed to be associated with a realtor.
In fact police said that Khalid, as the non-custodial parent, had abducted her son from his Atlanta, Georgia home and fled the state, resulting in felony kidnapping charges, a warrant being issued for her arrest, and the U.S. Marshals Service taking up the case. As reported by The New York Post, the mystery was even covered in the Netflix series “Unsolved Mysteries.”
As deputies questioned and investigated the cover story, it collapsed over the following four hours. The woman was eventually identified as Khalid, who was wanted for kidnapping, and the man as Bourgeois. Both were placed under arrest on charges including Second Degree Kidnapping, Forgery, Identity Theft, Providing False Information to Authorities, and Trespassing.
Boy missing for 7 years finally found as his mother, her husband are arrested for kidnapping https://t.co/eaxhZRbdsm pic.twitter.com/oOdXoPcycs
— New York Post (@nypost) March 5, 2025
According to Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly, “Our deputies responded to what initially seemed like a routine trespass call, but through sharp attention to detail and tenacity, they uncovered the truth. Their ability to recognize the discrepancies in the suspects’ story and to follow the leads, even when the situation seemed unclear, ultimately led to the safe recovery of a child who had been missing for seven long years. I couldn’t be prouder of the work done by our team; this case highlights the commitment of our officers to seek justice and protect the most vulnerable. It’s a reminder of the incredible difference our work makes in the lives of those we serve.“
U.S. Marshal Enix Smith III for the Eastern District of Louisiana said in a statement, “This significant development follows a lengthy seven-year search. I extend my sincere gratitude to all involved in the recovery effort, especially the authorities in Douglas County, Colorado for their swift and effective actions. Also, we would like to thank NCMEC, Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries, and Crimestoppers GNO for directing the public’s attention to this matter.”
The boy’s family has requested privacy but told reporters, “We’re overwhelmed with joy that Aziz has finally been found. We want to thank everyone for their support over the last seven years.”
