Georgia Father Arrested After Faking Son’s Kidnapping; Child Remains Missing

A Georgia father who reported that armed robbers took his son in a brazen kidnapping has now been arrested. 

The saga unfolded on Wednesday shortly after 11:00 p.m. when 23-year Artavious North reported that a vehicle was following his car as he was leaving Aspen Woods Apartments in Decatur. His 2-year-old son J’Asiah Mitchell was reportedly in the vehicle when a gunman allegedly swerved in front of North’s car, blocking him in at a stop sign. He claimed they then demanded something from him before snatching J’Asiah and driving away, though it’s unclear what they were asking for. He also told this story to the child’s mother, Asia Mitchell. She told local news outlets that North had been watching their son at the time of the incident. 

#BREAKING: J’Asiah Mitchell's father reported him kidnapped during an armed robbery. DeKalb police say that didn't happen, but the boy is still missing: https://t.co/3iaBbEigJp pic.twitter.com/s1zrVjmAMv

— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) August 18, 2023

“Please bring my baby back safe and unharmed because he’s more than what you think he is. He has people who love him,” Mitchell said in a tearful on-camera plea with Fox 5 Atlanta. “I just want to get my baby. That’s it. He wasn’t a part of anything that was going on.”

The DeKalb County Police Department was investigating the alleged kidnapping but announced Thursday night that no abduction occurred. North fabricated the story of his son being taken. He was arrested shortly after this latest development and charged with making false statements to police. Sadly, J’Asiah is still missing. 

“If anybody sees him, just call 911. That’s all we’re asking,” stated family member Chris Douglas.

J’Asiah was last seen wearing Buzz Lightyear pajamas. Police have not named any suspects but are pleading for information related to his whereabouts.