Relatives in Rockford search for missing UK teen

GRAND RAPIDS, MI. A search was underway in Rockford Saturday for a missing Grand Rapids teen.

A search party made up of friends, family and community members assembled to search for 16-year-old Cortez McConer Jr.

The Grand Rapids Police Department announced he was missing from his home in Grand Rapids and police were working to find him.

“The community has been amazing,” said Keisha Haggerty, Cortez’s mother. “They just keep reposting, keep sharing his posts. We had a very good turnout for the search today.”

Until this Saturday, GRPD considered McConer a runaway. But Haggerty says that’s not the case.

“I need everyone to know that he is not a runaway,” Haggerty said. “He’s a missing child. Once this is known, we will get the help we need from the community.”

Earlier in the day, relatives began searching for the teen in Rockford, where the family said the last person known to speak with Cortez was seen. The family continues to ask the community for help in finding Cortez.

“Just anything, any observations, any clue, anything. Talk to your children, ask them to tell you if they know anything, anything you have.” – said Haggerty.

Grand Rapids police said they have received several tips on the boy’s last known whereabouts and are working with his family and other law enforcement “to ensure his safe return home.”

In the end, Kisha wants only one thing – to bring her son home.

“Baby, come home. We miss you so much,” Haggerty said. “I promise I won’t be upset. Just go home. We miss you. We miss you so much. Please come back to our home. Please, please, please.”

Anyone with any information regarding McConer’s whereabouts is asked to contact GRPD detectives at (616) 456-3380 or Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345.