Who is the boy in the basement? Federal agents appeal for help in identifying mystery teen 'in serious danger' in chilling video n
- 'Extraordinary' plea to find boy in online video wearing Minnesota Twins T--shirt
- Homeland Security officials say he is in serious danger'
- But officials refuse to release further details about mystery boy seen in basement
Federal agents have launched an 'extraordinary' appeal for the public's help in identifying a mystery teenage boy who appears in an online video - and who they believe is in serious danger.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations unit has released two stills from the video and say the boy - between 13 and 19 - is in a 'dangerous environment' with several other children and at least one adult.
But the agents remain tight-lipped on the exact circumstances of the boy - refusing to say whether he has been kidnapped, is the victim of a human trafficking ring or is at risk from paedophiles.
Similarities: The appeal by federal agents has echoes of an earlier hunt for a mystery boy pictured in this still released by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations unit
In the pictures, the teen is appears to be in a basement and aged between 13 and 19.
He is wearing a Minnesota Twins baseball T-shirt. This is one of the few leads the agency has.
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ICE believes that the recording was made within the last 18 months or two years, based on the design of the boy's T-shirt.
The logo was first marketed by the baseball team in July 2010 but appears to be faded.
In danger: It is thought that an adult might be involved and officials expect state-level charges to be filed in connection with the case
'We have reason to believe that this person may now live, or may have lived at one time, in either Minnesota or western Wisconsin,' ICE spokesman Shawn Neudauer told CNN.
'It is entirely possible this young man is not currently in Minnesota or Wisconsin, but has either a friend or relative in the area, or recently moved from one of those states,' he said.
It looks like he may be talking to another person - possibly an older person - off camera.
'We believe there's an adult involved in all of this,' said Mr Neudauer.
It is thought that the teen is particularly at risk because he is unable to ask for help from the police.
'If we can identify the young person involved, we suspect that we'll be able to remove a couple of young people from a dangerous environment and also, perhaps, identify an adult.'
It is not usual for ICE to issue a public appeal but they hope that the public will be able to identify the boy and help him if he is at risk.
'Issuing a public plea is an extraordinary step by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations, warranted by our belief that there may be young people at risk without the ability to ask for law enforcement's help,' he said.
The agency is not releasing any more details of the case in order to protect the child involved.
The desperate search for the boy's identity was stalled this week due to the mass media attention of the floods in southern Minnesota, but Mr Neudauer told MailOnline that a number of leads had come forward since Thursday.
However, he stresses that more information is needed so if anyone recognises the boy, they should contact the department immediately.
If you know this boy, call the ICE 24-hour tip line on 866-347-2423.
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