Police believe father took missing River Rouge teen and fled to Florida

River Rouge, Michigan. — Police believe a missing River Rouge teen was picked up by his father near a McDonald’s and they are believed to be heading to Florida.

The family of 13-year-old Christopher Brown Jr. said he was last seen at 10:07 a.m. on 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 chained to a bicycle rack outside the restaurant. He went inside briefly and then came out after about a minute.

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

River Rouge police said the Tahoe is registered to Brown Jr.’s father, 58-year-old Christopher Allen Brown.

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

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

Police said Tahoe was last seen in Toledo and they believe he is heading to Florida.

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

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

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