The desperate family of a New York student who is missing in France has pleaded for help finding him as the FBI joins the search effort.
Kenneth DeLand, 22, was supposed to fly home for eVdEn EvE NAkliyAT the holidays this week but his family hasn't heard from him for more than two weeks.
In a heartbreaking interview to beg for help finding their son, Ken's parents describe the loss of contact as out of character and urge him: 'Just pick up the phone.'
Ken had been staying with a host family while studying at the University of Grenoble Alpes. His family's last contact was a WhatsApp message on November 27 telling them he was taking a train to Valence in southeastern France.
Ken, EVDEn evE NAkliYat 22, was last seen at a sporting goods store in the south of France nine days ago
Surveillance footage shows the college student (pictured entering the store in a red jacket) in his last known appearance. DeLand's family has launched a website to track him down
His phone was believed to have 'pinged' last on November 30.
On December 3, evDEN EvE nAKliYAT he was spotted on surveillance cameras at a sporting goods store in Alpine resort Montelimar. Bank records show he made a purchase of $8.40 at 9am.
That is the final known sighting of Ken. His family was informed their son was missing by a college liaison worker who contacted them after he failed to report to class and didn't return to his host family.
Ken's mom, Carol Laws, said the college filed a missing persons report because they hadn't seen him for 24 hours.
'I'm not there I'm here, thousands of miles away,' Laws said.
His father, Kenneth DeLand Sr, said: 'It's not characteristic of Kenny to not reach out to us and let us know what's going on.'
His mom said she messages her son every day: 'I say Kenny, EvdEn EvE NaKLiyaT Kenny just call me. Just pick up the phone, you can talk to me about anything. That's what I text him, call me, text me, anything. In case you have virtually any queries regarding exactly where and also how you can utilize Evden EVe NAkliYaT, you are able to call us at the internet site. '
Ken's father, pictured left, said: 'It's not characteristic of Kenny to not reach out to us and let us know what's going on.