Amber Alert Issued for 9-Year-Old New Bern Boy
A 9-year-old boy from New Bern has been reported missing, prompting authorities to issue a statewide Amber Alert.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — State authorities have activated an Amber Alert for a 9-year-old boy who disappeared from New Bern on Monday evening. Austin Ross was last seen around 6:30 p.m. in the downtown area of the coastal Craven County city.
The North Carolina Center for Missing Persons issued the statewide alert after local law enforcement determined the child met the criteria for the emergency notification system. Police believe Austin may be in immediate danger.
Description and Last Known Details
Austin Ross is described as a white male, approximately 4 feet tall and weighing about 70 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a red t-shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers.
The boy was reported missing by family members after he failed to return home from playing in the neighborhood. New Bern police officers began searching the area immediately after receiving the report.
Investigation Underway
The New Bern Police Department is working with state and federal authorities in the search effort. Officers are canvassing the downtown area and reviewing security camera footage from local businesses.
Investigators have not released information about potential suspects or whether they believe the disappearance is connected to any specific individuals. The circumstances surrounding Austin’s disappearance remain under investigation.
Public Asked to Help
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Austin Ross’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately. The public is urged to call 911 if they spot the missing child or have any relevant information.
The Amber Alert system sends emergency notifications to cell phones, broadcasts alerts on radio and television, and displays messages on electronic highway signs across North Carolina. The program is designed to quickly mobilize the public when children are believed to be in imminent danger.
New Bern, located at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse rivers, is home to approximately 30,000 residents. The historic city serves as the county seat of Craven County and is located about 110 miles southeast of Raleigh.
