Google Reunited Kidnapped Boy With Family 11 Years On

A teenage Indonesian boy has been reunited with his parents 11 years after being kidnapped as a young boy thanks to Google Maps.

Ervan Wahyu Anjasworo, 17, from the regency of Sragen in the Indonesian province of Central Java, was snatched by a street performer while walking home from a videogame store when he was five years old.

The street performer told him that he would escort him home, but instead kidnapped the youngster and forced him to perform with him.

After two years of living on the streets, the performer was chased away by police sirens one day and the young lad ended up in an orphanage.

Credit: Newsflash
Ervan Wahyu Anjasworo, who was kidnapped when he was a young child and has been reunited with his family after 11 years apart, thanks to Google Maps

While at the orphanage, the boy began to reminisce about his early memories with his family, especially the market his grandmother used to take him to.

He turned to Google Maps to search the area and soon came across the Gonggang traditional market he could remember from his early years.

Anjasworo gave the address to the social workers at the orphanage who contacted the market and found out information on the boy’s family.

He soon received photos of family members, who he recognised straight away, and Anjasworo was subsequently reunited with his family after 11 years away.

His father Suparno admitted that he nearly gave up all hope of finding his son after 11 years, but still had hope he was alive and well.

He also thanked the people who had kept his son safe until he could be returned.


To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Maja Mishevska, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency:  Newsflash

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