US Student Who Went Missing In France Found Alive In Spain

Kenny DeLand Jr., the American student who went missing from Grenoble, France three weeks ago, was found alive in Spain, his father and a French prosecutor said Friday.

Eric Vaillant, the public prosecutor in Grenoble, France, confirmed to CBS News that they learned "DeLand was able to speak with his parents today" and "he is apparently in Spain."

After abruptly ending a phone interview with CNN earlier today, DeLand Jr.'s father, Kenneth DeLand Sr., later told the news network he had just spoken to his son.

"He is alive -- that's all I can say," he said in a message to CNN.

A website DeLand's family had launched for information posted Friday that he "has been found."

"We will update with more information as we get it! THANK YOU to everyone for helping us bring Kenny home!" the message on the website stated.

Kenny DeLand Jr., a senior at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, N.Y., had been studying abroad at the University of Grenoble Alpes when he went missing three weeks ago, according to his family.

His parents said they had not heard from him since Nov. 27, after his fellow students reported him missing on Nov. 29, according to Vaillant

The woman hosting DeLand Jr. had said she suspected he left voluntarily. However, his parents did not believe her claim and asked French authorities to investigate his sudden disappearance. Vaillant echoed the woman's claims, saying it is likely he left the area of his own volition.

Vaillant explained to CNN that DeLand Jr. was last seen in a Decathlon store in Montélimar, 87 miles from Grenoble, on Dec. 3, where he made a transaction. But there were no records of his whereabouts until Friday.

"For him to not reach out, with no correspondence, this is very uncharacteristic of my son," DeLand Sr. told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Wednesday. "This is what creates all the worry that any parent could ever feel."

According to the CNN exclusive, Deland Sr. did not explain what his son told him or confirm where his son has been since leaving France.

This is a developing story, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

Updated: 10:47 EST, Dec. 16, 2022.