Missing Boy, 10, Found in Bnei Brak with Man Suspected of Exploitation

A 10-year-old boy, Yahli, who had been missing from Petah Tikva since the evening, was located overnight in Bnei Brak. He was found with a 20-year-old resident of Jerusalem, who was arrested on suspicion of abduction and subsequently jailed. Yahli's mother, Shiran Shabtai Sofer, recounted that her son was playing with friends at a playground when the young man approached them, demanding money. The children fled in fear, but Yahli remained behind, reportedly out of pity for the man.

According to the mother, the suspect then manipulated Yahli, claiming he had been kicked out of his home and had no money. The suspect allegedly used Yahli to solicit donations and then took him on a bus to Bnei Brak. When Yahli did not return home, his mother reported him missing to the police, who launched an extensive search involving technological resources.

Officers from the Petah Tikva station, part of the Central District, coordinated with officers from the Bnei Brak station in the Tel Aviv District. The latter located Yahli and the suspect. Both were brought to the Petah Tikva station for further investigation into the circumstances of the incident. The suspect was jailed pending a court appearance.

Yahli's mother stated that her son is now beginning to understand the gravity of the ordeal he experienced. The police are expected to bring the suspect before a judge for a hearing related to the ongoing investigation.