Watch CBS News

Families Fear Worst After Missing Teen's Car Found Abandoned In Detroit

WESTLAND (WWJ) - A Westland mom is asking for the public's help to locate her missing 18-year-old son and his friend after the car they were driving was found abandoned in Detroit.

Virgie Kudla said she last heard from her son, Jacob, around 10 p.m. Sunday when he and his 17-year-old friend, Jourdan Bobbish, were heading to a relative's home on Detroit's east side.

After her son didn't return home that night, the concerned mother filed a missing persons report in Westland.

"Jake has never left home. He is the type that has to be in his own bed at night. It's something he is known for. :) He and Jourdan left here on Sunday evening, saying they'd be back.  They visited uncle rich at about 11 pm and haven't been seen since.  There has Been no phone activity on either boys phone since 11:11 Sunday night," Virgie Kudla wrote on her Facebook page.

"Jake and I have a great relationship. We have never went a day without speaking or texting," she said.

Meantime, Detroit Police found and impounded a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier late Monday night which was seemingly abandoned at a west side apartment with its sound system removed.

When police ran the vehicle's license plate, Jacob Kudla's name came up and they notified his mother, who said the car was a recent gift from the boy's father.

Detroit police confirmed that two people were arrested in connection with items taken from the vehicle.

Friends and families spent hours Tuesday searching neighborhoods in Detroit and passing out flyers, but the boys still  haven't been seen or heard from.

As more time passes, families of both friends fear the worst.

Talking to WWJ Newsradio 950, Jake's cousin Reba Jacobs, said it's difficult not to worry.

"No, we don't get much sleep but, you know, we have hope -- just hoping they're out there. You know, they haven't found nothin', so ... we're just handing out flyers and praying that they come home today," Jacobs said.

Jacobs said police asked them not to search on Wednesday because authorities have gathered a task force to help with the search and they don't want them to interfere.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jacob Kudla or Jourdan Bobbish is asked to call 248-961-1962 or 734-634-7896.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.