Brooklyn mother of missing 11-year-old autistic boy invokes Fifth Amendment rights in Family Court proceedings.

The case of an 11-year-old autistic boy, Jacob Pritchett, who has been missing since April, has drawn significant attention in recent days as his mother, Jacqueline Pritchett, appeared in Brooklyn Family Court without providing any information regarding her son’s whereabouts. During a hearing on Thursday, Pritchett invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when Judge Dawn Orsatti inquired about Jacob’s location, further complicating the ongoing investigation.

Pritchett, 50, has been held at Rikers Island since early October on a civil contempt warrant for refusing to cooperate with authorities. Despite being asked multiple times in court to disclose information about her son, she has repeatedly chosen to remain silent, leading the judge to express frustration with both Pritchett and her attorney, Daniela Mancini. Orsatti remarked on the importance of Pritchett using her voice in the proceedings, highlighting the complexity of the situation.

In a twist to the case, Pritchett has previously claimed that Jacob does not exist, asserting that she has no children. This allegation raises concerns regarding her mental health, which police sources have cited as a significant factor in her behavior and decision-making processes. The court has allowed media attendance at the hearings, a move prompted by objections from reporters, including representatives from the Daily News and the New York Times.

The circumstances surrounding Jacob’s disappearance came to light following a call made to the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) on September 25, 2025, which prompted a welfare check at the family’s Brownsville residence on Howard Avenue. Upon arrival, Pritchett allegedly obstructed ACS workers from entering. However, by October 1, she allowed both police and ACS to conduct a search of her apartment. Despite their efforts, authorities found no sign of Jacob; instead, they located various household items, including mattresses and toys.

Neighbors have expressed concern over Jacob’s well-being, recalling that he had not been seen for an extended period, with some asserting it had been as long as a year. Descriptions indicate that Jacob is small for his age and may have been seen being pushed in a stroller, despite being too old for such a mode of transport.

The NYPD launched a public appeal for information about Jacob on October 4 and has since conducted searches, including a meticulous examination of a landfill, fearing he may have been discarded in a dumpster. Surveillance footage from the building where the family resides has been reviewed by investigators, but no evidence of Jacob was found.

As the case continues to unfold, the investigation remains active, with anyone possessing information about Jacob urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. The legal proceedings against Jacqueline Pritchett are ongoing, with implications that her detention could be challenged should a higher court find violations of her constitutional rights. As the search for Jacob carries on, many await developments that may shed light on his mysterious disappearance.