A sense of concern surrounds the disappearance of 12-year-old Cornelius Sanders, who was last seen in Chicago, Illinois, on May 3, 2026. The young boy was in the care of his legal guardian when he was reportedly taken by his biological father. His last known location was in the vicinity of the 5100 block of S. Western Avenue. Authorities with the Chicago Police Department are investigating the case and have expressed that Cornelius may be in the South Bend, Indiana, area.
Cornelius is described as a Black male with a medium brown complexion, brown eyes, and black hair. At the time he went missing, he stood between 5'0" and 5'3" tall and weighed between 100 and 115 pounds. Details regarding the clothing he was wearing at the time of his disappearance have not been made publicly available. The Chicago Police Department's Area Central detectives are handling the investigation into his whereabouts.
The circumstances of Cornelius's case are particularly worrying due to the allegation that he was taken by his biological father from his legal guardian. Law enforcement has identified the man he may be with as Cornell Sanders, a 35-year-old Black male. The case has been entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System to broaden the search efforts. The primary focus of the investigation is to ensure the safe return of Cornelius to his legal guardian. An overview of the case indicates an urgent search for a child who may have been wrongfully taken across state lines, prompting a coordinated effort between law enforcement agencies to locate him and the adult he is believed to be with.Last Seen: May 3, 2026
