Law Enforcement Today

HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO - A seven-year-old kidnapping case has reached a resolution with the recovery of 14-year-old Abdul Aziz Khan, who was located with his non-custodial mother, 40-year-old Rabia Khalid, and 42-year-old Elliot Blake Bourgeois. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced the significant development this week, crediting collaborative efforts from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Kenner Police Department, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

The recovery began when deputies responded to a trespassing report at a vacant property in Highlands Ranch, where they noticed two individuals entering the home. After the homeowner alerted authorities due to suspicious activity captured on surveillance, police arrived and found two children in a vehicle outside. The man and woman claimed to be affiliated with a realtor but were soon scrutinized by law enforcement.

Further investigation revealed that Khalid had abducted her son from Atlanta, Georgia, resulting in felony kidnapping charges and a warrant for her arrest. The case garnered attention, even appearing in a segment of Netflix's "Unsolved Mysteries." As the deputies questioned the suspects, their fabricated story unraveled, leading to the arrests of both Khalid and Bourgeois on multiple charges, including Second Degree Kidnapping and Forgery.

Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly expressed pride in his team's thoroughness and dedication, emphasizing their commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals. “Our deputies responded to what initially seemed routine but uncovered a truth that had been hidden for seven long years,” he stated, highlighting the significant impact of their investigative work.

The boy's family has requested privacy during this emotional time but expressed their relief and joy at Abdul's safe return, thanking everyone for their support throughout the years. U.S. Marshal Enix Smith III acknowledged the collaborative effort involved in the successful recovery, underlining the importance of communication and teamwork in addressing such complex cases.