Dad of missing Georgia toddler arrested over claim son was kidnapped at gunpoint

The father of a missing Georgia toddler was arrested Thursday night when authorities identified “inconsistencies” in his claim that his 2-year-old son was abducted from a car at gunpoint.

Artavious North, 23, was arrested shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday and charged with false statements and false reports of a crime related to the disappearance of his son, J’Asiah Deon Mitchell, the DeKalb County Police Department (DKCP) said.

Investigators confirmed earlier Thursday evening that there were “inconsistencies” in North’s initial story that 2-year-old J’Asiah was snatched by armed abductors while his car was at a red light in Panthersville late Wednesday.

“Our investigation found that there was no armed robbery nor kidnapping in DeKalb County,” they confirmed in a statement.

As of Friday, J’Asiah’s whereabouts are still unknown.

The toddler was last seen wearing Buzz Lightyear pajamas at an apartment complex in East Point, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Authorities were spotted draining a pond near the complex around mid-afternoon on Friday, the outlet noted.

The East Point Police Department is now leading the investigation, DeKalb authorities added.

“He’s a very sweet baby. He’s a good baby, he’s very smart,” J’Asiah’s mother, Asia Mitchell, told 11Alive of her son.

“Just try your best to bring my baby back home safe and just pray that he’s OK,” she begged. 

In its latest statement on the search, DKCP wrote that the investigation was “fluid and evolving.”

“We are working with federal state and local law enforcement partners to follow up on all available leads. Our first priority remains in locating J’Asiah,” it concluded.