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What we know: Father may have taken missing River Rouge teen and fled toward Florida

13-year-old Christopher Brown Jr. last seen outside McDonald’s

(River Rouge police)

RIVER ROUGE, Mich. – Police think a missing River Rouge teenager was taken by his father outside a McDonald’s, and they are believed to be heading to Florida.

Last seen on Sunday

The family of 13-year-old Christopher Brown Jr. said he was last seen at 10:07 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, at the McDonald’s at 10995 West Jefferson Avenue in River Rouge.

They believe he “is in immediate danger.”

Police said the boy was last seen chaining his bicycle to a bike rack outside the restaurant. He went inside briefly and then walked out after about a minute.

Cameras captured him getting into the front passenger seat of a dark-colored Chevrolet Tahoe with Florida license plate number DSM1544.

Why police believe father took teen

River Rouge police said the Tahoe is registered to Brown Jr.‘s father, Christopher Allen Brown, 58.

Officials said Brown Sr.‘s parental rights were terminated in August, “based on a child abuse incident.”

They‘ve named him as a person of interest in his son’s disappearance. He has ties to Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.

Police said the Tahoe was last seen in Toledo, and they believe it’s heading to Florida.

Christopher Brown Jr. is 5 feet 2 inches to 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs about 175 pounds. He was last seen with a red binder and wearing a black jacket, red shorts, and brown shoes.

Officials consider Brown Sr. dangerous and said members of the public should not approach him. If you see him, call police.

Anyone with information is asked to call the River Rouge Public Safety Department at 313-842-8700, extension 1. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP to remain anonymous.


About the Author
Derick Hutchinson headshot

Derick is the Digital Executive Producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

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