River Rouge police searching for 2-year-old last seen with non-custodial father

RIVER ROUGE, Mich. (WJBK) - Police are searching for 2-year-old Denver Alexander Statton after his non-custodial father took off with him following an overnight visit.

"I'm very scared and nervous for the boy because you don't know what's going through his dad's mind," said his great uncle, Joseph Miracle.

Police say 22-year-old Steven Miracle stopped by his father's home on Pine Street to visit Denver and spent the night. The father and son, according to his family, are just getting to know each other over the last couple of months. The boy's mother is apparently not in the picture.

"He gets like every other weekend. He comes and says hi, stays for a few hours and then he's gone," Miracle said.

Police said around 7:30 a.m. Monday, Steven stole his father's girlfriend's car and took off with Denver. 

"He's a very shady person. You don't know what's going in his head right now," Miracle said.

Steven's family says he hasn't done anything like this before. Records show the young father has a history of charges out of Washtenaw County in 2011 and 2012, including marijuana possession, home invasion and larceny. Michigan State Police issued an endangered missing advisory Tuesday morning.

"He just doesn't use his head. He does what he wants to do, and he doesn't think there's any consequences," Miracle said.

Michigan State Police say they have not issued an Amber Alert in this case because it's not considered an abduction there have been no threats made to harm Denver.

"The individual that's involved was invited into the home. He was an invited guest. He had been there before. He had had visitation with the child before," said Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw.

Police describe the boy as about 3'0", weighing 47 lbs., with has blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a tan carhart jacket. The stolen car is a 2001 Silver Ford Taurus with license plate DND5072.

Steven's family says they could be in the Jackson area or even Ohio.

"I don't know what's going through his mind. I just want the boy home," Miracle said.