The video will start in 8 Cancel

News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A five-year-old boy who went missing in 2002 has been found alive and well a staggering 13 years later.

In August 2002, Julian Tiberius Hernandez went missing in Birmingham, Alabama. It was suspected he had been abducted by his father Bobby Hernandez, 53.

Now, an 18-year-old in Ohio has been confirmed as the missing boy by police, reports AL.com .

Police and FBI agents said he is safe and unharmed. His mother is said to be “ecstatic” that her son has finally been found.

Bobby Hernandez is now facing abduction charges.

"I've been doing this 25 years and its something I've never experienced before," Lt. Johnny Evans, of Vestavia Hills police, told WVTM13 .

(Image: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) (Image: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Read more:

"That's the reason you never give up and you keep looking."

According to the Charley Project, a missing persons database, Hernandez was meant to take his son to preschool but withdrew cash from his bank accounts, took some of Julian’s possessions and fled.

Jefferson County District Attorney Brandon Falls said the incredible discovery was made when Julian was trying to apply for college.

(Image: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)

His social Security number didn’t match his name and when a member of staff at his school helped him to find out why it emerged he was on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children database.

Special Agent Vicki Anderson of the FBI's Cleveland, Ohio Division Anderson said the two have apparently been living in Cleveland the whole time.