Body found in Folcroft as police search for missing boy

The body of a young male was found in a waterway near a park in Darby Creek, but authorities would not confirm that the body was that of an 11-year-old missing since Monday.

Laquan Lattimore, a 6th grader at Sharon Hill elementary, was last seen riding his bike near King Ave and Chester Pike in Folcroft, Delaware County on Monday.

Neighbors and family said Lattimore lived to ride his bike, and he was known to go for long rides to southwest and west Philadelphia.But he always came home.

“He’s never stayed out late before,” said his uncle, Wendell Zellars, of West Philadelphia.

“We’re scared, but we’re hoping for the best,” Zellars said.

Lattimore’s aunt, with whom he lives, was called to the police station at about 2:45 — the time that word spread that a body had been found.

“He’s quiet, said Raquel Morrell, Lattimore’s neighbor. “He goes off on his bike all the time, and comes right back.”

Police spent much of Wednesday manning checkpoints near Lattimore’s home, and were searching car trunks of residents who left the neighborhood.

Lattimorre is described as 5-foot, 3-inches tall, weighing 125 pounds. He was last seen wearin blue jeand, a blue and white collared shire, black sneakers and carrying a gray backpack. He was riding a gold-colored mountain bike with a hand-painted orange stripe on the frame.

Anyone with information is asked to call Folcroft police at610-522-1300 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST, or 1-800-843-5678.