Nationwide — Three 12-year-old African American triplet brothers who were reported missing in Winter Haven, Florida, have been found safe, bringing a happy ending to a frightening search that captured the attention of the local community. Police confirmed that Demarquin, Demarkus, and Dequarrius Munson were safely located after they disappeared Thursday afternoon. Authorities have not released additional details about where the boys were found.
According to the Winter Haven Police Department and WTSP, the brothers were last seen around 3 p.m. at their home on Hibiscus Street. A relative who was at the residence told investigators the boys briefly came inside for something to drink before heading back outside. Their mother, who was at work at the time, returned home around 8 p.m., believing another family member had picked them up. The triplets were reported missing after it was discovered they were not with that relative. Each boy is approximately 5 feet tall and weighs about 105 pounds.
While this case ended safely, it also shines a light on a larger national issue. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children assisted with more than 32,000 missing child cases in 2025, and about 90% of those children were safely recovered. However, more than 3,100 cases remained active at the end of the year, reminding families that not every missing child is found quickly.
Black children continue to be disproportionately represented in missing child cases. Although they make up a much smaller share of the nation’s child population, they accounted for roughly 31% of children reported missing to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children between 2016 and 2020, according to testimony submitted to Congress. Advocates have long argued that missing Black children often receive less media attention than similar cases involving white children, making public awareness and timely reporting especially important.
The safe recovery of the Munson triplets is welcome news for their family and the Winter Haven community. Their case serves as a reminder that every missing child deserves immediate attention, regardless of race or background, and that swift action by families, law enforcement, the media, and the public can make a critical difference in bringing children home safely.