DEVON JOHNSON - 15 yo - Bellwood/ Kankakee IL

Officials with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are asking anyone with information about the whereabouts of Devon Johnson, 15, of Bellwood, to contact them or the Bellwood Police Department.

Johnson, a foster child, who has run away at least three times before, was last seen Nov. 2 and may be in the Kankakee area where he has cousins, said Bellwood Deputy Police Chief Miguel Herrera.

Melinda Stevens, director of the missing children division for the National Center, said the organization is zeroing in on Kankakee and is asking for all residents to be the "eyes and ears of law enforcement.''

"We are concerned for him being gone that length of time,'' Stevens said.

If there is any good news it's that 96 percent of reported missing youths are recovered and the "vast majority'' are unharmed, she said.

More than 20,000 children are reported missing each year to the national agency based near Washington, but Stevens said more than 100,000 are reported to local law enforcement agencies.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the National Center at 800-843-5678 or the Bellwood police at 708-547-3528.
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