In a stunning turn of events, 14-year-old Abdul Aziz Khan, who was abducted at the age of 7 by his non-custodial mother, Rabia Khalid, and her new husband, Elliot Blake Bourgeois, has been found safe in Colorado after seven years of mystery and heartbreak. The breakthrough came when Khalid and Bourgeois were arrested during an attempted robbery in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, on February 23, 2025.
The couple, who had been living under assumed identities, were linked to a 2017 warrant for the abduction of Abdul Aziz Khan from the Atlanta area. The case, which had previously been featured on Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries, had baffled investigators and tormented Abdul’s family for years. The boy’s recovery has brought immense relief to his loved ones, while Khalid and Bourgeois now face a slew of charges, including kidnapping, forgery, identity theft, and trespassing. This extraordinary story of resilience, justice, and the power of law enforcement’s persistence is a testament to the enduring hope of families searching for missing children.
The Abduction: A Family Torn Apart
The story of Abdul Aziz Khan’s abduction begins in 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia, where his parents, Rabia Khalid and his biological father, were embroiled in a bitter custody battle. At the time, Rabia Khalid was the non-custodial parent, meaning she did not have legal custody of Abdul. Despite this, she had been granted visitation rights, which allowed her to spend time with her son. However, tensions between the parents were high, and the custody dispute had become increasingly contentious.
On the day of the abduction, Rabia Khalid was scheduled to appear in court for a custody hearing. Instead of attending, she vanished with Abdul, leaving his biological father and law enforcement officials scrambling for answers. The disappearance was particularly devastating for Abdul’s father, who had been fighting for the right to see his son. For years, he held onto hope that his son would be found, even as the case grew colder and the trail went silent.
The abduction was not only a personal tragedy for Abdul’s family but also a legal and investigative challenge. Rabia Khalid and her new husband, Elliot Blake Bourgeois, had meticulously planned their escape, leaving few clues behind. They assumed new identities, changed their appearances, and moved across state lines, making it nearly impossible for authorities to track them down.
The Investigation: A Cold Case Revisited
For seven years, the disappearance of Abdul Aziz Khan remained one of the most perplexing cold cases in the Atlanta area. The case gained national attention when it was featured on Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries, a popular true crime series that highlights unresolved cases in the hopes of generating new leads. Despite the exposure, the trail remained cold, and Abdul’s family was left with more questions than answers.
Law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, continued to pursue the case, but the lack of concrete leads made progress difficult. Rabia Khalid and Elliot Bourgeois had effectively disappeared, leaving no digital footprint or paper trail that could be traced. The family’s anguish was compounded by the knowledge that Abdul was growing up without his father and extended family, unaware of the life he had been taken from.
The Breakthrough: A Robbery Attempt Leads to Justice
The case took a dramatic turn on February 23, 2025, when deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado responded to a call about a burglary in progress in Highlands Ranch. The homeowner, who was monitoring his property via security cameras, had spotted two individuals entering a home that was listed for sale. The suspects, later identified as Rabia Khalid and Elliot Bourgeois, claimed to be employees associated with the real estate agency handling the property.
However, deputies quickly noticed inconsistencies in their story. The couple’s behavior was suspicious, and their explanations did not add up. As officers probed further, they discovered two children sitting in a vehicle parked in the driveway. One of the children was a teenager who matched the description of Abdul Aziz Khan, now 14 years old. Detectives were able to confirm his identity, bringing an end to a seven-year mystery.
Sheriff Darren Weekly praised the deputies for their diligence and attention to detail, stating, “Our deputies responded to what initially seemed like a routine trespass call, but through sharp attention to detail and tenacity, they uncovered the truth. Their ability to recognize the discrepancies in the suspects’ story and to follow the leads, even when the situation seemed unclear, ultimately led to the safe recovery of a child who had been missing for seven long years.”
The Aftermath: A Family Reunited and Justice Served
The discovery of Abdul Aziz Khan brought immense relief to his family, who had endured years of uncertainty and heartache. In a statement released shortly after the news broke, Abdul’s family expressed their overwhelming joy and gratitude. “We’re overwhelmed with joy that Aziz has finally been found. We want to thank everyone for their support over the last seven years,” the statement read.
Abdul and the other child found in the vehicle, who has not been publicly identified, were taken into protective custody. A court will determine their placement, ensuring their safety and well-being as they transition back into a stable environment. For Abdul, this marks the beginning of a new chapter, one in which he can reconnect with his biological father and extended family.
Meanwhile, Rabia Khalid and Elliot Bourgeois were arrested and booked into the Douglas County Jail. They face a litany of charges, including kidnapping, forgery, identity theft, providing false information to authorities, and trespassing. Both have been held on a $1 million bond, reflecting the severity of their alleged crimes.
The Broader Implications: A Case That Highlights Systemic Issues
The abduction of Abdul Aziz Khan and his eventual recovery shed light on several systemic issues, including the challenges of enforcing custody agreements and the difficulties of tracking down individuals who assume new identities. The case also underscores the importance of public awareness and media coverage in solving cold cases. Without the exposure provided by Unsolved Mysteries, it is possible that Abdul’s story might have remained in the shadows.
Additionally, the case raises questions about the psychological impact of parental abduction on children. Abdul, who was only 7 years old at the time of his abduction, spent seven formative years living under an assumed identity, cut off from his father and extended family. The long-term effects of this experience are yet to be fully understood, but experts emphasize the importance of providing support and counseling to help him adjust to his new reality.
Conclusion: A Story of Hope and Resilience
The recovery of Abdul Aziz Khan is a testament to the power of perseverance, both by his family and by law enforcement officials who refused to give up on the case. It is also a reminder of the enduring hope that families of missing children hold onto, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
As Abdul begins the process of rebuilding his life, his story serves as an inspiration to others who are still searching for their missing loved ones. It is a powerful reminder that, even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a brighter future.
