After several days of uncertainty and growing concern, 17-year-old Armaan Bhatia, a student at who had been reported missing since May 18, has been found safe and reunited with his family, according to updates shared by his family member.
The development comes after an emotional search effort led by family members, local authorities, and community supporters who circulated appeals across social media and neighborhood networks in hopes of locating the teenager.
In a Facebook update shared by a family member before Armaan was located, the family revealed that they had received contact from him but still did not know where he was at the time.
READ: 17-year-old Indian American student missing in Washington area sparks community search (May 20, 2026)
“The latest update is that he called me yesterday and reported that he’s okay. However, his whereabouts are still unknown and there is still concern for his physical, mental and emotional health. The Montgomery County Special Victims Investigation Division is still actively working on their search efforts to identify the whereabouts of Armaan,” the post stated.
Hours later, another message circulated among community members confirmed that Armaan had been found safely.
“Good Morning – Armaan has been found safely and is now with family and friends. Thank you everyone for your help, support, and efforts in helping locate him. We truly appreciate the community coming together and supporting the family during this difficult time. Please continue to respect the family’s privacy.”
Speaking exclusively with The American Bazaar a day earlier, Armaan’s mother, Rakhi Bhatia, had expressed deep concern about her son’s wellbeing and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
“My 17-year-old son, Armaan Bhatia,” Rakhi Bhatia told The American Bazaar, “a student at Thomas S. Wootton High School has been missing for several days and is considered at risk due to ongoing mental health and severe sleep deprivation.”
According to the family, Armaan had reportedly gone multiple days without sleep shortly before he disappeared and appeared physically exhausted. His mother also described noticeable emotional withdrawal and behavioral changes that intensified fears for his safety.
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“We are extremely worried about his physical and emotional state and are asking anyone who may have seen him or has information about his whereabouts to please contact local authorities or reach out immediately,” she said.
Family members had earlier said Armaan was last believed to have been connected to activities around Thomas S. Wootton High School, a highly ranked public school in Montgomery County with nearly 2,000 students.
The case drew widespread attention across the local Indian American community and beyond, with many residents sharing missing person notices online and offering assistance during the search. Following the news of his safe return, family members expressed gratitude to both the community and law enforcement authorities for their continued support during the difficult period.
While the family has requested privacy moving forward, the updates brought relief to many who had closely followed the search efforts over the past several days.