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Published: 2012-09-12 11:47:00
Updated: 2012-09-12 22:28:45

Amber Alert issued for Goldsboro teen


Kennedy McLaurin
Kennedy McLaurin
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State authorities issued an Amber Alert Wednesday for a Goldsboro teenager they believe was abducted by four unidentified people.

Kennedy Fitzgerald McLaurin, 16, is black, stands about 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 135 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes, pierced ears and a tattoo of the initial K on his left hand.

Police said McLaurin, a junior at Goldsboro High School who also goes by the nickname "Little Ken," was last seen around 1 p.m. Sunday.

His mother, Kimberly Best, said she reported him missing Monday after becoming concerned when he didn't come home Sunday night. After hearing rumors that he had been abducted, she called police.

"I haven't been able to sleep. I've been up looking, riding around," Best said. "I really hope he's OK, but it's scary, and not knowing is what's terrifying me."

Investigators said McLaurin was kidnapped from the 700 block of Bain Street in the Woodcrest Housing Community and forced into a blue, older-model Buick or Lincoln by three or four black males.

Police did not release any further information. A spokeswoman for the city of Goldsboro said the Amber Alert wasn't issued until Wednesday, partly because police had to verify the rumors.

Anyone with information about McLaurin's disappearance should call 911, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol at *HP or the Goldsboro Police Department at 919-580-4243 or 919-705-6572 or Crime Stoppers at 919-735-2255.


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so sad I hope he is safe and the men get what thay deserve

MadMaxx...and unfortunately, I concur.

I'm sorry but something still doesn't sound right. Mom calls police Monday after he has been missing since Sunday. They have taken two days to verify reports that he was abducted in order to make the news public. So, people saw him being "forced" into this vehicle and NO ONE called police with concerns? Huh??? filanthorpist September 12, 2012 4:32 p.m. Report abuse

Careful on the life you lead. Play with fire you could bet burned. If you lead a life in the criminal element or gangs, this is what you get. GOLO and others cannot fathom that, everyone is good, all parents are loving and responsible. Wake up and take off the rose colored glasses, when this is resolved, it will turn up more inconsistencies and the victim will turn out to be more the criminal element than the liberal press wants to make out.

to filanthorpist: someone did call the police,

The local newspaper reported yesterday he was last seen at home Sunday @ 11pm, so why has it taken so long to run the Amber Alert?

Not saying that this is so in this case, but some parents let their teenagers go out and about, with no communication while they are away, and they assume that they are where they told Mom they were going and stayed there and went nowhere else. Some parents don't even check on their kids for hours at a time so his being away for so long and their was no alarm to it may be common. I said may be. I know parents who let their teens just go and they see them when they get back home. If they are staying at a friend's house overnght, oh well. I will see you when I get home. One thing is for sure, the information in this story is all over the place. The headline says he was kidnapped by four men. The article says, three or four men. This is so sad; to think whatMom may be going through right now. He is not my child and it bothers me.

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