West Seattle family asks for help finding runaway teenager

| How to help | West Seattle news

A local family is hoping you can help find their runaway son – even though that may mean he gets arrested. We talked with the mom of 16-year-old Brody Webster. He ran away more than two weeks ago, and they reported it to police shortly afterward; his mom explains he has a history of running away, but this time, they are more worried than ever about his safety, who he’s with, what he’s up to, and have decided to put up posters and ask widely for help in finding him. He has an arrest warrant, she explains, because he violated terms of a “Youth At Risk” petition (explained here); she says they just want to get him the help he needs. As you can see on the full poster his family is distributing, they ask that you call 911 if you see Brody or know where he might be. He is 5’6″, 110 pounds, brown-haired and blue-eyed, and a West Seattle High School student.

GenHillOne June 11, 2011 (6:14 pm)

C’mon home, Brody.

SunnyWest June 11, 2011 (6:57 pm)

He was just downtown yesterday!

Paul June 11, 2011 (7:02 pm)

If the cops would respond when I call about the kids that party at west seattle high parking lot maybe they would have seen him there?

Alki Resident June 11, 2011 (7:07 pm)

My son is on the beach right now,he goes to school with Brody.He’s heading down to look for him.

cathi June 11, 2011 (8:06 pm)

If you see him please call 911. The police need to pick him up.

Danielle June 11, 2011 (10:25 pm)

:( So sorry. Brody and my son were best friends at Alki Elementary. He has a great mom….

cd June 11, 2011 (10:28 pm)

what was with the police going up Genesee St around 8:30 or9:00?

feather June 12, 2011 (5:25 am)

Has he been found? Saw a kid that looked like him on my way to work this morning, on Holden St. THought it was weird for a white kid to be walking in that area so late at night/early morning. But didn’t see this posting until a few hours after I saw him.

cathi June 12, 2011 (8:27 am)

Probably Paul. The police have unfortunately been slow in response to my calls too though can only imagine they have more pressing issues. Brody uses Metro often to get around WS. Alki, Admiral, both Junctions, White Center are the usual hangouts so it very well could’ve been Brody on Holden. Please spread the word!

cathi June 12, 2011 (9:39 am)

Probably Paul. The police have unfortunately been slow in response to my calls too though can only imagine they have more pressing issues. His friends seem to be helping hide him, they’ve done this in the past also. Brody uses Metro to get around WS. Alki, Admiral, both Junctions, White Center are his usual hang outs so it probably was him on Holden, we live by the SSCC. Please spread the word and be sure to call 911.

jwws June 12, 2011 (2:52 pm)

Have you contacted Metro to get his poster distributed to bus drivers? Hope you find him soon and get him the help he needs.

can'tignore June 12, 2011 (8:55 pm)

“weird for a white kid” Really??? So it’s not weird if the kid was of color and in possible need?????????

Jasperblu June 12, 2011 (10:21 pm)

I saw a kid that looked VERY much like this boy on Friday June 9; he was wearing a white short sleeve teeshirt, “sagging” dark blue jeans cinched tight around the top of his butt (rapper style). He was wearing Elvis Presley style sunglasses & had a dark colored backpack on his back. He was in the company of a much older Hispanic or Native American male. The older man knew some of the bums hanging out at the bus stop & chatted with them briefly about getting back to White Center. He and the boy had approached the metro bus stop (stop #515) I was waiting at on 3rd Ave. S and Main just above Pioneer Sq. from the north. They hung around for about 15 minutes (the boy seemed very out of it) & then boarded/departed on a bus bound for White Center. I believe it was the same bus the other men got on too. And I only know where THEY were going because they had asked me earlier to check my iPhone for their bus to see if it was on time.
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I thought it was weird for such a young looking white boy to be hanging out with such a sketchy looking bunch of guys in Pioneer Square on a Friday at 5:30pm. Honestly, he looked like he was maybe 14 or 15 (the boy). And whatever it was, I don’t know, perhaps my LA cynicism about runaways and male prostitutes, but I just got a really bad feeling about that kid being with those older men.
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I’m just sorry I didn’t react &/or say something to the bus driver of MY bus (# 21). It was getting late & I was the only woman at the stop, otherwise I would have challenged the men or at least asked the boy if he was ok. He didn’t look scared, but was definitely a kid out of his element & trying to “act” cool.
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If I see him again, I’ll just call SPD. Hope he comes safely home soon!

WSB June 12, 2011 (10:54 pm)

Hi all – As Brody’s family has requested, if you have information, please call 911. In particular, please don’t post anything speculating about or identifying anyone else. We were flagged to a comment here that had included the name of a third party, which is against WSB rules, for adults as well as juveniles, and it has been deleted. – TR

cathi June 13, 2011 (6:33 am)

Brody does have connections to the homeless. He thought it was cool to hang out with them. To the parent who had their kids name deleted because he was seen with Brody…..your kid knows a lot more than he’s sharing along with all the rest of Brody’s friends. If it we’re you’re child wouldn’t you want me to step up?

Jasperblu June 13, 2011 (7:04 am)

TR – I’m on my mobile & couldn’t see a live link to respond to privately. One of the links in the story is broken (404 error) & the poster gives no contact info either.
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If my message above is too personal or if it shares info that might be harmful, please pass it along (w/ my email addy) to the family, and delete it from the blog. I don’t want to endanger the boy by posting info that is best shared with police or family.
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To the family: know that I’m willing to share the info above with police if you need me to. Not sure if Metro bus stops have cameras or not, perhaps they can ID the kid I saw on Friday that way?
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Really am hoping for a good outcome for this family. I cannot imagine how scared they are for him, if my own daughter was a runaway I’d be frantic!
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More info as to HOW we should respond and to WHOM if we see him, would be very helpful. Calling 911 isn’t always effective in this town, in my experience anyway. :(

cathi June 13, 2011 (7:58 am)

Jasperblu- 911 is the only way. State that you see a reported runaway Brody Webster that has 2 warrants for his arrest. That is enough with the location as he will not go with us, his parents freely. If you have other suggestions please share. We will do anything needed at this point. I’ve been in contact with a Detective and sharing info as I receive it though Brody is not the only missing person he’s looking for. We have shared info with other outlets but I’d rather not share too much info…. but keep suggestions coming please.

worried grandma June 13, 2011 (9:48 am)

Brody: Please contact any of us. We love you, miss you and want you home so we can get life back on track for all of us. You are a good kid at heart. We’ll do whatever we can – just get back in touch.

ummm June 15, 2011 (12:28 pm)

Any update?

DMC June 15, 2011 (5:26 pm)

We were wondering as well… I have met Brody before. My daughter brought him home one time when he was having some troubles. He is a super sweet kid. His parents really care for him from speaking to his mom on the phone. I hope Brody comes home and is able to get himself back in line.

cathi June 15, 2011 (9:21 pm)

He’s still missing.

cathi June 16, 2011 (8:49 am)

He was picked up last night. Thank you for keeping an eye out for him. Hopefully this time we can get him back on track.

WSB June 16, 2011 (8:58 am)

Cathi, thank you for the update. One of our contributors heard a scanner call at some point yesterday regarding police dealing with a possible sighting of your son, so we had hoped that might be the one that brought resolution – TR

worried grandma June 16, 2011 (9:28 am)

I’m sending grateful thanks for whatever part the WSB had in helping to bring Brody back so the next journey for him can begin. His family will
do all we can to bring this all to a good final outcome. Thanks again to everyone.

moji June 16, 2011 (11:25 am)

To cathi and worried grandma, please know that Brody and your family are still in our thoughts and we wish you well. Positive outcomes take hard work as I’m sure you’re aware and I applaud your efforts to keep a wayward kid on track. It is a very tough thing in the midst of all the rebellion, mistrust, court dates, and fear, to remember to let Brody know how much you love him. You know you do, and it’s obvious to us here that you do, and although Brody is probably the least likely one to acknowledge it right now, he is the one who most needs to feel it. Take care, and keep on keepin’ on.

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