A 9-year-old boy who went missing Thursday, Aug. 13, from a neighborhood near Dunwoody and Brookhaven was found safe later that day, Atlanta News First reported.

The boy, identified only as Eli, was last seen around 2 p.m. leaving the 900 block of Willow Ridge Way in DeKalb County to take out the trash. He did not return.

The DeKalb County Police Department issued a public alert on its official X account asking residents to be on the lookout. Police described Eli as 4 feet 8 inches tall, 120 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair in a low haircut. He was wearing a black shirt, green and blue tie-dye Crocs and pants of unknown color at the time of his disappearance.

The 900 block of Willow Ridge Way sits in unincorporated DeKalb County, close to the Dunwoody and Brookhaven city limits. The street is accessible from several major corridors in the area, making the alert relevant to residents across both cities.

Atlanta News First confirmed Eli was found safe on Aug. 13, though the outlet did not provide details about where or how he was located. The DeKalb County Police Department had not posted a follow-up confirmation on its social media accounts as of Friday, Aug. 14.

Police did not release Eli's last name.

The brief search ended with good news for the family, but the incident is a reminder of how quickly a child can go missing in a residential area. DeKalb County Police ask residents who witness any suspicious activity or missing persons to call 770-724-7710. Residents can also dial 911 for emergencies or contact the department's non-emergency line for general safety concerns.