CLEVELAND — An Amber Alert -- which was first issued around 2 p.m. Saturday -- remains in effect for 15-year-old Keshaun Williams in Cleveland as police say the case is being investigated as a “possible abduction.”
"I'm concerned and I'm worried," his mother, Sherice Snowden, said during a press conference Wednesday morning in which a $1,500 reward for information in the case was also announced by the Cleveland Family Center for Missing Children.
Snowden said it's very irregular for her son not to return home or lose communication. She also said their calls to his phone are going straight to voicemail.
"If anybody knows his whereabouts, or if anybody has my child, can you please let my child come home," Snowden said. "Keshaun has a whole life ahead of him, he’s a very bright child. Please, I'm asking you, I'm begging you, I'm pleading [with] you, Keshaun is all I have, that’s my heart.”
During the press conference, Snowden said her son had been at a house party somewhere in the area of Gertrude Avenue on June 17, calling her at 10:38 p.m. to let her know he was coming home. However, he never did.
Snowden said she was not aware her son was going to be attending that party, and is working to find out more about who exactly was there. She said her son's friends did see Keshaun at the end of the party, but somehow they became separated, and Keshaun was left behind.
"They're tight with the information about who was at the party, so that's a red flag," she said. "It shouldn't be a problem. If a kid is missing, it shouldn't be a problem with anyone to disclose any information of who was at the party. Like I said, people are scared of what may happen, they don't like to get involved, but I know there's still some good people out here that's willing to come forward with that information."
Snowden said her son is bright, good in school, and involved in church. His boxing coach and mentor, Raymond Hambrick, said Keshaun was like family.
"He is a good kid and he is so goofy, funny, loving, caring," Hambrick said.
Now, his family, loved ones, police, and Cleveland Missing are hoping someone will come forward with information.
"This family is hurting, they're desperate for answers, and I don't blame them, and we want to help them," said Newburgh Heights Police Chief John Majoy, who is also chairman of the Northeast Ohio Amber Alert Committee, and president of the board of directors for Cleveland Missing. "But we need to reach that one person who's got that information, and we've got a $1,500 reward to start off with now, to give information anonymously if they have that information. So we we really want to make sure we get in touch with that one person."
Police previously said Keshaun was reported to have been missing since Saturday, June 17, from his home in the 5700 block of Fleet Avenue. He was later reported missing to law enforcement on June 20, according to police.
“Investigators have conducted and continue to conduct multiple interviews and follow up on information provided by sources,” Cleveland police said.
On Saturday night, Cleveland police determined that a black Jeep SUV they originally believed Keshaun may have been traveling in is not involved in this incident. Police said Keshaun was still missing as of Saturday night.
He's described as 5'7" tall and 130 pounds. Keshaun has black hair with braids and brown eyes. Police say he was last seen wearing black jogging pants, a T-shirt and gray / red Jordans.
Anybody with information regarding Keshaun’s whereabouts is asked to call 911.
Stay with 3News as we will update this story with additional details once they come in.
