A 10-year-old Philadelphia boy who was reported missing Tuesday morning after being dropped off at his elementary school has been found unharmed, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Muhammad Sakho was last seen shortly after 8 a.m. Jan. 20 in the area of Penrose Elementary School, located at 78th Street and Buist Avenue in the Eastwick section of Philadelphia. Police said he was located Wednesday afternoon in Upper Chichester, Delaware County.
During the initial search, authorities classified Sakho as missing and endangered, citing concerns related to his age and the circumstances of his disappearance. Police released his description to assist the public, saying he is about 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighs approximately 100 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. When he was last seen, Sakho was wearing a black hoodie, a light green jacket, blue jeans, and a blue jacket.
Investigators later confirmed that Sakho’s father dropped him off at Penrose Elementary School at approximately 8:06 a.m. Surveillance footage showed Sakho entering the school cafeteria two minutes later, where breakfast was being served. Additional video reviewed by police indicated that Sakho left the cafeteria around 8:20 a.m. and did not enter the main school building for classes.
According to police, Sakho told investigators that after leaving school, he followed a mail truck on foot before boarding a bus to the Upper Chichester area. He then took an Uber to a nearby apartment complex where he previously lived. Sakho said he spent the night sleeping on a bench near the complex and later walked to a nearby dollar store to purchase pillows and blankets.
Upper Chichester police located Sakho on Wednesday after he walked into the area, and he was found unharmed.
Muhammad’s mother, Stephanie Chapman, said she felt relieved after learning her son had been found safe. She and other family members had spoken publicly earlier in the search, expressing concern about his safety due to his age and the cold weather conditions.
A spokesperson for the School District of Philadelphia said school staff monitor students during the breakfast period. District officials said they are reviewing how Sakho was able to leave the cafeteria area without being noticed.
Police have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding Sakho’s disappearance. Authorities said coordination between local departments and state police played a role in locating the child, particularly after it became clear he had traveled outside Philadelphia.
The incident concluded more than 30 hours after Sakho was first reported missing, ending with his safe recovery in Delaware County.
