A woman wanted for allegedly kidnapping her 7-year-old noncustodial son in 2017 was apprehended after a trespassing incident in a Denver suburb in Douglas County, Colorado.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office credited the discovery of Abdul “Aziz” Khan to the sharp instincts and diligent work of their deputies who were responding to a trespass call.
According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Khan’s parents went their separate ways in 2014. In search of employment, Khan’s mother, Rabia Khalid, relocated from New Orleans to Atlanta. His father promised to visit his son every other weekend in Atlanta to maintain a strong connection. The couple, who were no longer together, engaged in a custody battle, and there was a real possibility that Khalid would lose custody of her son. Disturbingly, on November 27, 2017, Khalid failed to appear at a custody hearing in Atlanta. In a shocking turn of events, law enforcement discovered that both Khalid and her husband, Elliot Bourgeois, had fled the city, taking Khan with them.
The prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for her on the charge of felony kidnapping.
On February 23, the three individuals managed to evade capture once again. However, this time they were finally caught in the act. The Douglas County deputies received a call regarding a burglary happening at a vacant home in Highlands Ranch. Although the property was listed for sale, the homeowner noticed some suspicious activity and immediately reached out to law enforcement.
Upon arrival, deputies were immediately greeted with the sight of two children inside a vehicle that was parked in the driveway. Subsequently, a man and a woman emerged from the house, stating that they were “affiliated with a Realtor.” However, as deputies diligently worked to confirm their identities over a four-hour period, it became evident that their story was beginning to fall apart.
Khalid and the 14-year-old child in the car, identified as Khan, were apprehended by officials. They have been arrested and are facing charges of second-degree kidnapping, forgery, identity theft, providing false information to authorities, and trespassing. Currently, both Khalid and Khan are being held on a $1 million bond.
Khan and his sibling have been placed under the care and protection of authorities.
In a statement shared by the sheriff’s office, Khan’s family expressed their overwhelming joy upon Aziz’s long-awaited discovery. They extended their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported them throughout the past seven years. The family also gave special recognition to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for their exceptional efforts in solving this case. As they embark on the next chapter, they humbly request privacy to facilitate their healing process as a family.
Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly shared, “Our deputies responded to what initially seemed like a routine trespass call, but through sharp attention to detail and tenacity, they uncovered the truth. Their ability to recognize the discrepancies in the suspects’ story and to follow the leads, even when the situation seemed unclear, ultimately led to the safe recovery of a child who had been missing for seven long years. I couldn’t be prouder of the work done by our team; this case highlights the commitment of our officers to seek justice and protect the most vulnerable.”
