A 15-year-old German boy, missing for two and a half years, has been found alive in a closet belonging to an alleged pedophile, German police reported.

Police found a boy known only as Marvin K, who first went missing in June 2017, hiding in a closet after they raided the home of a 44-year-old unemployed handyman named as Lars H, in Recklinghausen.

Lars H was suspected of circulating images of child sex abuse, and a police raid on his home inadvertently uncovered the missing boy, it has been revealed.

On Friday, Dec. 20 at 7 a.m., police raided Lars H’s home with a van and dogs trained to sniff out computer hard drives. Bin bags full of used diapers were discovered during the search, and the house reeked so strongly of urine that officers had to wear face masks.

Officials reported that they soon found Marvin standing uninjured in a dark closet, wearing the same clothes he went missing in two and a half years ago. The teenager was immediately taken into child protection where his mother Manuela, 53, was allowed 10 minutes to speak with him, according to the Daily Mail.

“He held on to me really tightly and he began to tremble. He said ‘Mummy, take me home. I was locked away for two and a half years and I couldn’t get any fresh air’.”

“He took my hand and wouldn’t let go. The man with whom he was found must have manipulated Marvin,” she said. “I could go crazy thinking about the things done to him.”

Recklinghausen, where the raided flat is located, is about 96 kilometres north of Cologne. Neighbours in Recklinghausen said they never saw the teenager, but would often hear screams coming from the flat.

Yet, police say there is so far no evidence to suggest that the boy was held against his will.

He held on to me really tightly and he began to tremble. He said 'Mummy, take me home. I was locked away for two and a half years and I couldn't get any fresh air'. We both cried. He took my hand and wouldn't let go

At the time of his disappearance in 2017, Marvin — then 13-years-old — had been placed in the care of local authorities following the death of his father. On June 11, he said goodbye to his carers before meeting his friends in the town centre. His last communication was a final Whatsapp message at 11:37 a.m., before his phone was switched off.

The suspect’s 77-year-old father, who was living at the same property, was also arrested but later released. The judge, however, ordered that Lars H remain in custody while police investigate all electronic devices seized during the raid.