A 22-year-old student studying abroad in France has gone missing as his desperate family plea for his return.
Ken DeLand Jr., a student at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York, was last seen on CCTV at a store in the Alpine resort near Montelimar on December 3 wearing a red jacket, scarf, grey beanie, blue trousers and a black backpack.
The student's last communication to his parents was via WhatsApp on November 27 telling them he was about to get on a train to Valence, France - with his phone last 'pinging' on November 30.
Ken's worried family have launched a website to try and help bring back his return.
The Find Ken DeLand site says: "Still, communication has yet to happen from his phone or any social media.
“Kenny’s bank was made aware of his disappearance and provided authorisation to police to track purchases.
According to the family, the missing student made a purchase at a store in Montelimar at 9 a.m for $8.40 (£6.85).
The website added: "We fear the worst and want him to be located."
His dad, Kenneth DeLand Sr. said his son would often talk daily to him, he told Good Morning America: "He would reach out to me almost daily, sometimes every other day.
“Kenny’s a friendly, outgoing college student, a young man. He loves to travel. So, this trip has been something that he’s really looked forward to and enjoyed.”
Ken was studying at the University of Grenoble Alpes through the American Institute for Foreign Study.
His father DeLand Sr said the family were told by the program Kenny had failed to turn up to a class, which was unlike him.
The Institute said in a statement: “AIFS joins others concerned for his safety and we are working with local law enforcement who have begun a search.
"We have been in contact with Kenneth’s family and university and we are hoping for his swift and safe return."
The family said if he tries to leave the country his passport will be be stopped: “If he attempts to leave France via train, his passport will ping. We have learned that you can travel via other means without using your passport.
“We understand Kenny is an adult, and the University, as well as local, national and international police hands, are tied.
"Neither the US nor French administration can share his whereabouts. What we do know is there is a missing person’s report filed.”
Ken's studies were due to end on December 17 and his visa was set to expire on January 20.
The community of Clifton Springs held a prayer vigil for Ken on Saturday at the United Methodist Church.
The Rev. Brian Fellows said: "What we hope his family gets from this is that we don’t want their hope to die. I believe wherever he is, that all is holy and all that is sacred is with him and that it brings him comfort and peace.”
