Authorities: missing North Carolina boy never in danger

SMITHFIELD, N.C. (AP) _ Authorities say a 3-year-old boy who was reported missing from a Smithfield flea market was never missing.

Smithfield Police Chief Steve Gillikin said Tuesday that Siraj Munir Davenport was never in danger and is safe with family members. Gillikin said Siraj was never at the flea market or in Smithfield. He called the case a hoax.

Gillikin said he couldn't release details. He said federal and state investigators are still looking into the case.

Police said the mother reported her son disappeared Sunday as she loaded her car at the Brightleaf Flea Market in Smithfield on Sunday.