Law enforcement looking for missing boy

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has put out an endangered person advisory for a boy from Jefferson City. Markell Beasley, 6, is believed to be with a man who had a hand in raising him.

According to state troopers, Markell’s mother allowed family members of Demitrius Beasley to take her son to St. Louis from Jefferson City. The idea was for Markell to attend a Christmas gathering.

Troopers say the family then gave Markell to Demitrius, who is not the biological father and has no legal rights to Markell.

In an exchange of phone calls and text messages between Demitrius and Markell’s mother, troopers say Demitrius threatened to not return Markell. He also allegedly made other threats to others trying to take Markell from him.

Investigators say they now think there never was a Christmas gathering scheduled to take place. Instead, it appears to be part of a plan to get Markell to Demitrius.

Markell is a black male, age 6, 4 feet 3 inches tall, 52 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing an orange hat, gray and orange coat, blue shirt and blue jeans.

Demitrius is a black male, age 40, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

If you see either Markell or Demitrius, police ask that you call 911 or the Jefferson City police department at (573) 634-6351.