Officers said a 4-year-old boy and his 12-year-old sister were found Wednesday; details on where and how remain under review.
MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee police said Wednesday they safely located 4-year-old Nevin M. Powell and his sister, 12-year-old Sanuya M. Wooten-Powell, ending an overnight search that began after the younger child was reported critically missing Tuesday night on the city’s north side.
The case moved quickly from a missing-child alert to a recovery update within hours, reflecting the attention such calls draw across the city. Police had warned in initial notices that the older sibling was wanted by officers and might be armed. By late morning, the department said both children were safe. Investigators did not immediately release additional facts, including whether a weapon was involved, if anyone else was with the pair, or the exact location of the recovery.
Authorities said the children were last seen on foot near North 5th Street and West Hadley Street on Tuesday evening, Dec. 2. The area is lined with duplexes and small businesses, and patrol cars were seen circling blocks overnight as officers knocked on doors and spoke with residents. At one point during the search, media shared a possible vehicle to watch for — a silver or light-blue Hyundai Santa Fe with no plate — though police never said publicly how, or if, that detail factored into the recovery. “Both children have been found safe,” the department’s update said.
Neighbors described a steady police presence through the night. A bus rider who got off near Hadley before sunrise said officers asked whether she had seen two kids walking south. A resident along North 5th Street said he checked porch cameras after the alert. Journalists circulated the children’s names and ages along with images provided by police to keep attention on the case. Officials offered no explanation Wednesday for why the sister was wanted, and no agency reported an arrest tied to the search.
The episode echoed recent missing-child responses in Milwaukee, where detailed descriptions and rapid photo releases have often been followed by quick recoveries. The corridor around North 5th Street is a frequent staging area for such operations, in part because of its mix of apartments, corner stores and multiple bus lines that can expand a search radius. Police generally follow a set sequence: establish last contact, mark direction of travel, canvass and broadcast bulletins citywide. The department followed that pattern here, from the Tuesday night alert to the Wednesday morning confirmation.
With the children safe, detectives turned to interviews and timeline reconstruction to determine what happened between the last sighting and the recovery. Officials said they would provide further information as it becomes available. If criminal allegations arise from the “wanted” designation, legal steps would move to Milwaukee County Circuit Court, starting with an initial appearance and charging decision on a later date. For now, no charges were announced and no hearing dates were set.
Residents along the route said the morning update brought relief. “I was scared when I saw ‘critical missing’ on my phone before bed,” said Henry Collins, who lives two blocks from Hadley Street. “Hearing they’re safe was the best news today.” A clerk at a corner market said officers swung by after dawn to ask about overnight customers. “They were moving fast and checking everywhere,” she said.
As of Wednesday afternoon, police said both children were safe while investigators completed interviews and evidence checks. Officials said more details would be released once verified.
Author note: Last updated December 3, 2025.