Nancy Grace tells father of missing boy that he's been found alive

Updated
Missing Detroit Child Found Alive In His Basement
Missing Detroit Child Found Alive In His Basement


Charlie Bothuell V, 12, was reported missing more than a week ago, and he's now been found in the basement of his own home. Nancy Grace was interviewing the boy's father, Charlie Bothuell IV, when she revealed that his son had been found.

"Charlie, we're getting reports that your son has been found in your basement," Grace said. Bothuell was stunned into silence, and he didn't speak until Grace repeated herself. Eventually, he managed a "what!?" while holding his chest and breathing heavily.

Watch the full moment here:


Still, much of this story remains a mystery. WXYZ reports that Charlie Bothuell V was found in the basement alive, behind a barricade authorities don't believe he could have built himself.

"During the 11-day investigation, police tell action news they searched inside the home at least four times, and once with a cadaver dog."



"I thought my son was dead, man."

WDIV reports police had returned to the home again, this time in search for evidence of a potential homicide. Instead, they found the boy alive.

​"Police came to the Bothuell home ... to serve a search warrant, believing young Charlie was dead."

"They already found blood in the home and a PVC pipe they believe was used to discipline young Charlie."

Charlie's father says he received a call from his wife just before 10 p.m. on June 14. She told him Charlie left the house and hadn't come home yet. After that, police were called.

WXYZ says, according to its sources, Charlie's father failed a polygraph test. His stepmother has refused to take one.

It's still not clear whether Charlie ran away from home. The Detroit Free Press says the investigation is ongoing, and the Detroit Police Chief said he isn't ruling out any possibilities.

"It would be hard for me to sit here and tell you that someone didn't know Charlie was there."

Charlie's father did say his son ran away from home one other time two years ago, but he was found after only a few hours. At last report, Charlie was undergoing medical evaluation.

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