Brooklyn boy missing for 2 months as mother denies existence of child

Over two months have passed since authorities sought an 11-year-old autistic boy in Brooklyn, whose mother insisted she had no children, and his location remains unknown. NYPD officials, fearing the worst, released both a sketch and a digital image of Jacob Pritchett, along with a photo of his mother, Jacqueline Pritchett, hoping the public can provide information on his whereabouts.

Jacqueline Pritchett, 50, described by officials as mentally unwell, has been held at Rikers Island since early October on a civil contempt warrant from Brooklyn Family Court, after refusing to disclose her sons location. The warrant was issued under the Family Court Act, which allows such action if a childs safety is believed to be at risk.

Details about the ongoing court proceedings remain limited. The mothers court-appointed attorney requested that reporters be excluded from a hearing on November 24. While Family Court sessions are generally public, Judge Dawn Orsatti used her discretion to close the courtroom due to Jacobs age and other factors. Pritchett was scheduled to return to court on Thursday.

The citys Administration for Childrens Services became aware of Jacob on September 25, after a state hotline received a tip about his welfare. ACS investigators visited the Pritchett family apartment in Brownsville, but Jacqueline initially refused them entry. When police intervened, they found no evidence of a child living there. Pritchett claimed she could not have children and had never had one, yet ACS produced Jacobs birth certificate, contradicting her statements.

On October 1, the mother underwent psychiatric evaluation at Brookdale University Hospital before being sent to Rikers Island. Meanwhile, police followed potential leads: a dog detected a scent in the apartment, and neighbors reported having seen Jacob, though not recently. One neighbor, Shamik Birzhet, 23, who lives above the Pritchetts, said he had not seen Jacob in about a year and described the boy as always in a stroller despite his size.

Investigators intensified the search after neighbors indicated a nearby dumpster emitted a foul odor, described by one resident, Angela Summers, 57, as a death smell. Police inspected the dumpster and, with State Police assistance, traced its contents to the High Acres Landfill in Perinton, New York, but after more than two days of searching, there was no trace of Jacob.

Author: Grace Ellison