Amber Alert For 3-Year-Old Was Hoax, Police Say

SMITHFIELD, N.C. -- A 3-year-old boy who was reported missing from a Smithfield, N.C. flea market was never missing, police said Tuesday.

Smithfield Police Chief Steve Gillikin said that Siraj Munir Davenport was never in danger and is safe with family members.

Gillikin also said Siraj was never at the flea market or in Smithfield. He called the case a hoax.

Gillikin said he couldn't release details. He said federal and state investigators are still looking into the case.

Police said the mother reported that her son had disappeared Sunday as she loaded her car at the Brightleaf Flea Market in Smithfield. She told police when she finished loading her car and looked down, the boy was gone.

Police shut down the flea market and searched customers' cars.

Sheriff's deputies also searched the Neuse River by boat for the boy and conducted an extensive ground search.

There was no immediate word of charges in connection with the case.