Ken DeLand, an American college student who has been missing in France for more than two weeks, previously interned for a New York state senator’s office, the politician recalls as the now-missing 22-year-old had “brought with him a positive energy everyday.”
DeLand, enrolled at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York, was last heard from on Nov. 27.
The university student, who is studying abroad at the University of Grenoble Alpes, was last spotted about 85 miles away on surveillance video at a shop in Montelimar, France.
There, bank statements indicate that he made an $8.40 purchase at around 9:00 am on December 3 and hasn’t been seen since.
KEN DELAND: THE DAD OF AN AMERICAN COLLEGE WHO DISAPPEARED IN FRANCE WARNS OTHER PARENTS TO STUDY ABROAD
Ken DeLand smiles in shared selfie while studying abroad.
(findkendeland.com)
“The news of Ken’s passing is troubling and has definitely taken everyone by surprise,” Senator Pam Helming, a Republican representing the 54th district of the New York state Senate, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. I first met Ken when he was a high school senior and presented him with a proclamation at his Eagle Scout ceremony. Ken later became an intern in my Senate office from 2019 to 2020 and brought a positive energy with him every day.”
“I pray he is found safe and returns home soon to be with his family,” she added.
DeLand’s father, also named Ken DeLand, told Fox News Digital on Monday that his son was studying psychology and aimed to be a lawyer after graduation. He also took French classes throughout high school and saw studying abroad as an opportunity to improve his own language skills.
Ken DeLand seen on surveillance video entering a store.
(findkendeland.com)
Elder DeLand said he had asked the French university and AIFS Abroad for more information about any friends or acquaintances the 22-year-old had abroad — or any other details that could lead to his whereabouts — but the institutions cited privacy restrictions that prevent its release.
Because Kenny is an adult, the student would have had to sign a waiver allowing the release of private information to other parties, including his own parents, according to Elder DeLand.
Ken DeLand smiles in a photo on his Instagram story from Versailles.
(Instagram/Ken DeLand)
“Well, if he’s missing, he can’t sign anything. And going into that, I never thought this would ever happen in my wildest dreams,” Elder DeLand said. “I don’t know everything about the legals and whatnot. I’m just a parent concerned about my child’s whereabouts.”
In a statement to Fox News Digital, St. John Fisher University said it “will continue to do everything possible to assist in the investigation to find Kenneth DeLand.”
“University officials have remained in close contact with the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) who are working with local law enforcement on the research, as well as Kenneth’s family to offer them support during this time,” a university spokesman said. “Our campus community remains hopeful that Kenneth will be found safe and return home.”
University holidays don’t start until Saturday.
Ken Deland seen smiling in photos while studying abroad in Europe.
(findkendeland.com)
The State Department said it was “aware of reports of a U.S. citizen going missing in France.”
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“When a U.S. citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts and share information with families as we can,” a spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “The State Department has no higher priority than the welfare and safety of US citizens abroad. We stand ready to provide appropriate assistance to needy US citizens and their families.”
DeLand’s family said it was inappropriate for their son not to contact them.
