Update via KIRO7Seattle on Twitter: “Missing South Seattle boy has been found safe & sound with mom.” Whew! (We’ve removed the child’s photo since he has now been found.)
Missing child alert from the SPD Blotter:
South Precinct patrol officers are currently looking for the 6 year old boy pictured above. His name is Denez Bernier. He usually wears a dark blue jacket and has a dark green GI Joe backpack. He did not show up at Dearborn Park Elementary School earlier today. School officials received a call from his mother just before noon inquiring as to his whereabouts but she has not called police to report him missing. It is unknown if he is in danger. A search is underway and a number of relatives have been contacted. We would like to speak to his mother since she originated the complaint. Her name is Judith Bernier, 25 years of age. We are also looking for his father, who apparently works in a tire shop in South Seattle. His name is Tulaga Ativalu. This is all of the information that we have at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Seattle Police non-emergency number at 206 625-5011.
It’s odd that there’s a search underway but the mother has not actually reported him missing. There must have been something said when the mother called the school that put them on alert.
This incident turned out to be some sort of domestic issue between the boy’s parents. Seattle Police should have went straight to the boy’s home to interview the mother and maybe find the boy at home instead of staking out the school on Monday.