The Oakland County Sheriff's Office is asking for help locating 17-year-old Jabrale Narajae Brown, who left his Pontiac home on Newman Lane about a week ago. Investigators say Brown's family has had only sporadic contact with him through social media and does not know where he may be staying.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office said, according to The Oakland Press, that Brown's family has not seen him in person since he left. The agency also said he does not have a cellphone with him.
The sheriff's office describes Brown as a Black male who is about 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs approximately 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last known to be wearing a white sleeveless shirt and black-and-green shorts and carrying a blue backpack. Authorities released his photo as part of the search.
Who Handles Missing Person Cases in Pontiac
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office holds primary contract municipal policing jurisdiction over the City of Pontiac along with 14 other communities across the county, operating under Sheriff Michael Bouchard, according to Hoodline. The sheriff's office provides municipal policing in Pontiac. Pontiac serves as the county seat of Oakland County, a Metro Detroit-area county home to nearly 1.3 million residents, according to Oakland County Government.
What Michigan's Missing-Child Data Shows
For statewide context, Michigan State Police says its annual report data has been displayed within the Crime in Michigan dashboard since 2023. The cited state information does not provide a yearly total of missing-child reports or a breakdown of how those cases were resolved. The Michigan Missing Child Information Clearinghouse also oversees law-enforcement compliance with the immediate entry of missing children under 18 into Michigan's Law Enforcement Information Network and the National Crime Information Center, according to Michigan State Police's Michigan Missing Child Information Clearinghouse.
Anyone with information about Brown's whereabouts is asked to call the Oakland County Sheriff's Office at 248-858-4950, according to The Oakland Press.
What the Law Requires When a Child Goes Missing
Federal law does not require families to wait before police begin investigating a missing person under 21 or enter the case into the National Crime Information Center, under Suzanne's Law, according to Lincoln Memorial University, citing a report published by PowerDMS.
Michigan law also provides for an administrative safeguard after a missing minor is entered into the state missing-person network: under Michigan Compiled Laws § 333.2889, the state registrar must immediately flag the child's birth certificate in the official registry, according to FindLaw.
Broader Concerns Around Missing Youth
Missing juvenile cases can call for ongoing risk assessment. The organization collaborates with local, state and federal agencies on missing-youth recovery efforts.
The sheriff's office has not said whether investigators believe Brown left voluntarily or whether they suspect foul play. No additional statewide alert has been reported in connection with the case. Authorities are asking the public to share information that could help locate him.
