Missing 9-Year-Old Odenton Boy Turns Himself In (Update)

Updated at 10:20 pm

Benjamin Molina, the 9-year-old Odenton boy who ran away Friday, has been located unharmed, police said Monday night. He walked into an area business and identified himself as the missing child.

Police said, “Thank you to the community for your concern and those of you keeping watch. Additional details to follow in the morning.”

Patch’s Original Post:

As Anne Arundel County Police continue to look for a 9-year-old Odenton boy who has run away from home for the second time in a week, residents have shared theories and offered solutions on social media.

Benjamin Kelly Molina, 4’6”, slim build, was reported missing from the area of Odenton Road and Monterey Avenue about 6 p.m. Friday. Police said on Facebook Saturday that they believed the boy was hiding from officers, so they urged residents in the Odenton area to check their yards, sheds, under decks, and any wooded areas around their homes.

Benjamin and his older brother, Jacob, 14, ran away last weekend, and were returned home a day later. The pair also ran away on July 12.

The department’s Facebook page has been swamped with hundreds of comments about the family, with the alert shared more than a thousand times. Police recognize the community concern and said the family has been receiving and will continue to receive services from the appropriate agencies.

Anyone who sees Benjamin is asked to call 911 or 410-222-6155.

»SEE ALSO: Two Missing Odenton Boys Found Safe (Update)

»Photo of Benjamin Molina, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police

A sampling of the discussion about the missing boy happening on the police department’s Facebook page:

Stan Frazier: “What I find unfortunate is that no info has been provided regarding any specific area / community within Odenton. What school would the child normally attend? What neighborhoods do the separated parents live in? Where have the boys been found before? An answer to any of these Q’s would help Joe Citizen decide where to begin a search, fanning out from there. By now the child could’ve hopped the Marc unfortunately.”

Tianshi Bulaiji: “He is a 9 yr old on his own and hates his home, every sexual predator in Maryland is hunting for this kid to offer him a safe house. At least when he was with his brother his brother was able to protect him from predators. Please know your neighbors and keep an eye out for this kid.”

Amanda Allen: “Could someone be letting him stay at their home? Would there be any repercussions for that?”

Police urged anyone who is a friend of Benjamin’s who might know where he is to call police. “This is a family matter that now involves significant public safety resources,” police said over the weekend.

And family friends commented on the search.

Gretchen McCracken Nealon: “Poor guy I remember when he was just born....my heart goes out to him and his two brothers.”

Melanie Tingler Granger: “Thank you for your continued efforts in trying to find Ben! You guys rock!!! Praying, wherever he is, that he is safe and found soon. God Bless you, Ben!”

»SEE ALSO: Two Missing Odenton Boys Found Safe (Update)

Odenton Residents Asked to Search for Missing Boy

»Photo of Benjamin Molina, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police