“Julian’s case is a reminder to all those parents and loved ones who are still searching for a missing child to never give up hope, no matter how long that child has been gone.” This is what Robert Lowery of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said this week about a young boy who showed up unharmed after going missing thirteen years ago.

Child who disappeared 13 years ago in Alabama found safe and unharmed in Ohio https://t.co/8312R3u8eA pic.twitter.com/s1KgOme6Jx

— Sky News (@SkyNews) November 5, 2015

Julian Hernandez went missing from his mother's home in Alabama in 2002, with authorities at the same suspecting that his father had abducted him. According to Buzzfeed, Bobby did not have custody of his son but was looking after him the day he disappeared. Thirteen years on in Ohio, Julian was flagged when applying for college when it was discovered his social security number did not match his name. With the help of a school counsellor, he learned that he was in fact listed National Center for Missing and Exploited Children database. Lieutenant Johnny Evans told reporters during a press conference this week: “We know the work for Julian and his family has just begun and will continue over the next days, months and years as they adjust and get to know each other all over again.” The center’s vice president, Robert Lowery, added, “Julian’s case is a reminder to all those parents and loved ones who are still searching for a missing child to never give up hope, no matter how long that child has been gone.” Julian's father Bobby Hernandez was arrested in Cleveland and is expected to face charges of interfering with child custody and abduction.