Brooklyn boy missing for 2 months; mother claims she does not have a child.

The search for Jacob Pritchett, an 11-year-old autistic boy reported missing from his Brooklyn home, has intensified in recent weeks, yet his whereabouts remain elusive. Over two months after a concerning report of his disappearance, his mother, Jacqueline Pritchett, 50, finds herself in custody at Rikers Island. This follows her denial of having children when confronted by police, raising alarm about her son’s safety and potential well-being.

The New York Police Department (NYPD), amid escalating fears for Jacob’s safety, has released an appeal to the public that includes a sketch and a computer-generated image of Jacob, along with photographs of his mother. The police hope these visuals will elicit help from the community in finding the boy, either alive or deceased.

Jacqueline Pritchett has been incarcerated since early October on a civil warrant from Brooklyn Family Court. This warrant was issued under circumstances where a child’s safety is in question, emphasizing the severity of the situation. Notably, proceedings in Family Court have become complex and shrouded in privacy, as demonstrated during a recent hearing where a motion was made to bar media coverage. The presiding judge, Dawn Orsatti, upheld this motion, although the courtroom is typically accessible to the public.

The troubling case became known to the city’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) on September 25, when a state hotline received a report concerning Jacob’s welfare. ACS investigators attempted to visit the family’s residence on Howard Avenue but were initially denied entry by his mother. When police were called for assistance, they found no signs of Jacob’s presence in the home, despite his mother falsely claiming she had never given birth.

Despite the falsehoods, police confirmed Jacob’s existence through tangible documentation, including his birth certificate. Following this revelation, Jacqueline was taken for psychiatric evaluation before being remanded to Rikers Island.

Investigative efforts by the authorities have continued to evolve. Canine units from the NYPD detected a scent within the apartment, corroborated by neighbors who reported having seen Jacob weeks prior. One neighbor described a prolonged absence of the child, suggesting neglect, while investigations into the family’s environment led police to a nearby dumpster. A resident reported a distinctive odor emanating from the area, prompting further examination.

This investigation escalated with the deployment of State Police to scour the High Acres Landfill, located approximately 14 miles east of Rochester. This site was linked to the refuse from the dumpster associated with the Pritchett residence. Unfortunately, after exhaustive searches spanning several days, law enforcement found no evidence suggesting Jacob’s fate.

As the investigation persists, authorities and concerned citizens alike grapple with the urgency of locating Jacob Pritchett while navigating the complexities surrounding his family’s tragic circumstances. The next court appearance for Jacqueline Pritchett is scheduled for Thursday, where further developments may emerge in this distressing case.