On May 11th, 2011, Timmothy Pitzen was dropped off at his school in Aurora, Illinois. His father had taken him to school and watched him walk in. Timmothy’s mother, Amy Fry-Pitzen, picked him up shortly after and took him on a three-day trip without telling his father. She took him to various amusement parks and water parks. However, what may have appeared to be a nice family trip was hiding a much more sinister plot.

After Amy Fry-Pitzen pulled her son out of school she called several of her family members. She told everyone but Timmothy’s father that she and her son were safe and not in danger. In many of the phone calls, Timmothy could be heard in the background saying he was hungry. No one ever heard or saw him again.

On May 13th, the lifeless body of Amy Fry-Pitzen was found in a room at the Rockford Inn. She had committed suicide by slashing her own wrist and neck, as well as overdosing on antihistamines. Amy left a note apologizing for the mess she had created and said that Timmothy was in the care of people who would keep him safe, but that he would never be found. Despite the tireless efforts of investigators, Timmothy Pitzen would not be seen again for seven years.

On April 3, 2019, local residents in Newport, Kentucky called the police to report a teenager wandering the streets. The boy reportedly had run across a bridge over the Ohio River. He appeared shaken and distraught and claims to be Timmothy Pitzen. The boy is fourteen and told authorities that he escaped after being held captive by two men for the past seven years.

Police are investigating the boy’s identity, however, there is no confirmation at this time. Lakewood High School senior, Emily Perry, was very shocked by this story. “It is so crazy yet amazing that after seven years he might finally get to go home. I could never imagine what he’s been through.”