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Nov. 5, 2015, 11:51 PM GMT / Updated Nov. 6, 2015, 6:55 AM GMT By Phil Helsel

The family of a boy who was missing for 13 years before being found safe in Cleveland this week said they are "overjoyed" that the child has been found.

Julian Hernandez was 5 years old when he was reported missing by his mother in Alabama in August of 2002. On Monday the Cleveland office of the FBI confirmed that he was living in that city with his father, who had been suspected of taking the boy all along, officials said.

"Our family was overjoyed this week to locate Julian and learn that he is safe,” a representative for the child’s mother said in a statement to NBC affiliate WVTM in Birmingham Thursday.

"We want to thank everyone for their prayers and support during Julian's disappearance," the statement said.