The teenager went missing in 2010 when he went to visit his Dad, Gregory Jean, 37. His mother immediately reported him missing to child welfare authorities, but the boy was not located until this year.

Police in Clayton County, Atlanta, were called to a house late on Friday where they discovered the boy hidden behind a false wall in a linen cupboard.

KIDNAPPED WOMAN FOUND ALIVE AFTER CCTV FOOTAGE RELEASED

They had previously attended the property but found nothing, and were told by the tenants they knew nothing of the child.

It was only when the boy had managed to message his mother telling her of his location that he was found.

KIDNAPPED GIRL FOUND ALIVE AFTER 12 YEARS

Neighbours spoke of their shock after father Gregory and his partner Samantha Davis, 42, were arrested.

‘It shocked all of us, honestly,’ one local said. ‘They were really nice people, they were open. They were like ‘Hey, come over any time you want.'

The boy has now been reuinited with his mother and is said to be overjoyed at being rescued.