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Tampa Police Find Missing Boy, Vehicle

Family Photo

De'Erick Johnson, seen here on the left, was kidnapped while asleep in an SUV early this morning, police say.

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TBO.com

Published: September 13, 2008

Updated: 09/13/2008 10:03 am

TAMPA - Police have found a missing 9-year-old boy kidnapped while he was asleep in his mother's vehicle.

De'Erick K. Johnson appears to be unharmed, police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said. Detectives are interviewing the boy. They said they also recovered the missing vehicle, but have not released any other details.

Somebody stole the Lincoln Navigator while his mother was talking to his sister in the parking lot of the B & D grocery store at N. 40th Street and Hillsborough Avenue about 1:25 a.m., McElroy said.

According to police, this is what happened:

Metosha Godwin, 41, drove to the parking lot with her 9-year-old son and 6-year-old grandson to return the younger boy to Godwin's daughter, Latoya Godwin.

While she met with her daughter, Godwin left the door to the Navigator open and the engine running.

Somebody entered the Navigator and drove south on N. 40th Street with the boy still inside the vehicle. Latoya Godwin followed the Navigator and called 911 from her cell phone. She last saw the Navigator near N. 35th Street and E. 26th Avenue.

Police cruisers and a helicopter searched the area. They found the vehicle and the child shortly before 10 a.m. at the Tampa Park Apartments complex, near N. Nebraska Avenue and E. Scott Street.

Stay with TBO.com for developments.

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