NORFOLK, Va. – Saturday, family members confirmed to News 3 that DeAndre Rosenthal, 15, has been found safe after being missing for a month.
Prior to Saturday, he was last seen on August 24 at his home in Norfolk.
His mother, Brandi Brewer, tells News 3 that it appears he left willingly. Norfolk Police say DeAndre was considered to be a runaway.
The family working was with Norfolk Police Department detectives.
“He said ‘normally for a runaway, we don’t have parents calling all the time to get updates.’ But he said, ‘you guys are calling to see if there’s any new news, get any updates,” Brewer stated. “I said ‘yes, because our child is missing. We want to find him.’” “It’s not like we’re just going to let him run away, and we’re not going to come looking. That’s not what type of family we are.”
DeAndre's dad lives in Norfolk and his mom lives in Florida. His dad told News 3 that he and DeAndre's stepmother had been looking daily. The teen's mom said she came up to Norfolk the weekend he went missing and helped hang flyers but had to return home. Meanwhile, she’s was spreading the word on social media – which is how News 3 first heard of the missing teen.
His information is also on the website of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Nancy Strickland works with a grassroots organization called “United We Stand of Hampton Roads.” Strickland said she heard about the missing teen and jumped into action. She helped the family with posting flyers throughout Norfolk.
Brewer said her son does not have a job, a car, money, or a cell phone. She hoped that her son will let them know he’s safe.
“Just let us know you’re okay, and we’ll come get you,” Brewer said. “We can work on whatever the issues are. But we just need you to come home.”
DeAndre's parents said he should have started this week at Maury High School. In fact, Brewer was hoping he’d just show up to school, but she said she contacted the school and they haven’t seen him in classes.
