Louis Ross, the foster father of the 5-year-old boy who disappeared from behind a Rockridge shoe store in Oakland on Monday, went on local television yesterday to plead for the little boy’s return. View the video here.

Hassani Campbell was apparently walking from the car to the shoe store–where Ross had gone to open a back door–when he disappeared. When this story was first reported, it sounded as though it might involve some sort of custody dispute, as Ross and his fiancee Jennifer Campbell are trying to adopt the boy, who is the son of Campbell’s sister.

However, an article in the Chronicle today revealed that it was Ross’s habit to open the car door for Hassani and then proceed to carry Hassani’s one-year-old sister to the back of the shoe store and unlock the door of the shop. If this is the case, then a predator could have potentially noticed the pattern and made a plan to take Hassani during the minutes when he was unsupervised. Routines, unfortunately, are a criminal’s greatest friend.

Ross is concerned that the public may be looking for a child in obvious leg braces, due to reports that Hassani wears leg braces due to cerebral palsy. But the braces, Ross said, are worn under Hassani’s pants legs and not readily noticeable. Though Hassani walks slowly, he is able to make it a fair distance on his own.

Case Type: Endangered Missing
Missing Date: Monday 10th August 2009
Missing From: Oakland California
Missing Country: USA
Sex: Male
DOB: 24/Sep/2003
Age Now: 5 Hassani Campbell
Specific Details:
Hair: Brown Eye Color: Brown
Height: 3′ 0″ (91cm) Weight: 40lbs (18kg)
Race: Black language: n/a

Distinctive Marks: Hassani wears braces on his legs.
HFMC International Searching
Known Circumstances:

Hassani was last seen on August 10, 2009 at approximately 4:15p.m. He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt and gray pants.

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
or Oakland Police Department (California) 1-510-777-3333