German teen missing for two years found in closet of suspected paedophile

A teenage boy who had been officially missing for two years has been found in the home of a suspected paedophile in Germany.

Police officers were searching the home of a 44-year-old man under suspicion that he had engaged in serious sexual crimes against minors when they discovered the 15-year-old hiding in a closet.

The teen, who did not appear to have any injuries, was found not to have been held in the apartment against his will.

He was taken into police protection.

German police have said the boy disappeared from a shelter in 2017 and could not be found despite the best efforts of social workers.

The 44-year-old man was also taken into police custody, along with his 77-year-old father.

The mother of the 15-year-old boy told German newspaper Bild that she struggled to recognise her child, who she described as looking like a "broken old man".

"The man with whom he was found must have manipulated him," she said.

"I could go crazy thinking about the things done to him."

The 44-year-old is awaiting the results of a police investigation.