The father of an American college student who has been missing in France for more than two weeks has sent a warning to other parents with adult children seeking to study abroad.
Ken DeLand told Fox News Digital that he had no reservations as a father when his 22-year-old son Ken “Kenny” DeLand first said he wanted to study abroad at the University of Grenoble Alpes.
“He is an adult, so he signed up. He said: ‘I want to travel abroad.’ I’m like, ‘OK, that sounds like an idea,'” the elder DeLand told Fox News Digital of his son, who is enrolled at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, N.Y. “You know, kids that age they are fiercely independent. They want to get out and explore the world. No problem.
“I don’t know everything about the legality and stuff,” DeLand said in a phone interview. “I’m just a parent who’s worried about my son’s whereabouts, obviously.”
However, since his son disappeared, the father says he has received nothing but rejection from the French university and AIFS Abroad due to the so-called Privacy Act. Because the young DeLand is an adult, he had to sign off giving institutions permission to share private information with other parties, including his own parents, the father explained.
KEN DELAND MISSING: AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENT MISSING IN FRANCE WHILE STUDYING ABROAD
“The only way I understand he could get around that would be if Kenny signed a waiver waiving the Privacy Act. Well, if he’s not there, he can’t sign something. And going into this, I would never think that this would be something that would happen. in my wildest dreams,” DeLand said.
Ken DeLand disappeared while studying abroad in France.
(findkendeland.com)
“Was it an oversight that this something should have been signed? I can tell it is now, but it’s not going to do me any good, you know?” added the worried father. “But you can see the level of importance of this now. Now that we’ve hit a brick wall.”
In a statement to Fox News, AIFS Abroad said: “Kenneth DeLand, a student at St. John Fisher University studying on an AIFS Abroad program in Grenoble, France, has been reported missing.”
“AIFS joins others concerned for their safety and we are working with local police who have begun a search,” the statement added. “We have been in contact with Kenneth’s family and university and look forward to his speedy and safe return.”
Ken DeLand was last seen entering a store in Montelimar on December 3.
(findkendeland.com)
A spokesman for St. John Fisher University said it “will continue to do everything possible to assist the investigation to find Kenneth DeLand.”
“University officials have been in close contact with the American Institute of Foreign Studies (AIFS), who are working with local law enforcement on the search, as well as Kenneth’s family to offer support during this time,” it added. the notice. “Our campus community is hopeful that Kenneth is found safe and returns home.”
The US State Department also acknowledged DeLand’s case in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“We are aware of reports of a missing US citizen in France. When a US citizen goes missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts, and we share information with families where we can,” said a State Department spokesman. he told Fox News Digital.
“The Department of State has no higher priority than the welfare and safety of American citizens abroad,” the statement added. “We stand ready to provide appropriate assistance to US citizens in need and to their families.”
The family has been in contact with Rep. Claudia Tenney, RN.Y., who opened a congressional investigation into DeLand’s disappearance and implicated the FBI.
The elder DeLand said he has also been in frequent contact with the US embassy and has attempted to call local French municipalities and police agencies, though he admitted the language barrier has proven difficult.
“There were friends I was studying with at Grenoble Alps University. But they haven’t given me their names or their phone numbers. That would be helpful if I were to talk to them. But I don’t think AIFS can divulge, or the university can divulge that’s because of the privacy of the students,” the elder DeLand said. “Give me names and numbers and I’ll call everywhere.”
Ken DeLand smiling in a photo on his Instagram story at the Chateau de Versailles.
(Instagram/Ken DeLand)
The family created a website, findkendeland.com, with photos of the missing DeLand and information on the progress of the search efforts thus far. The family last heard from him through the WhatsApp messaging application on November 27.
They later believe DeLand left his host family’s residence and boarded a train to Valence, France.
His father told Fox News Digital that he wasn’t sure why his son was headed there.
The college student’s phone last pinged on November 30. According to bank statements, DeLand made a purchase at a store Dec. 3 in Montelimar, about two hours from the university, at 9 am for $8.40.
Surveillance footage shows the 6-foot, 190-pound DeLand wearing a red jacket, scarf, gray beanie, blue jeans and sneakers while carrying a black backpack at the same store.
A senior majoring in psychology, his intention was to become a lawyer after graduation, his father said.
Ken DeLand seen smiling in the photo while studying abroad in Europe.
(findkendeland.com)
The US Embassy and Consulates in France issued a holiday closure and security reminder for US citizens abroad.
The warning reads: “As the festive season begins, the Embassy reminds you to maintain strong personal security and situational awareness. Large gatherings can present a target of opportunity for criminal elements and terrorist groups alike. Incidents of Petty crimes, such as pickpocketing and phone theft, often target tourists and holiday shoppers.Similarly, terrorists can strike with little or no warning, targeting tourist spots, transportation hubs, markets and shopping malls, places of worship and other public areas. Visitors to congested places and popular tourist areas should pay special attention to their surroundings.”
DeLand was an Eagle Scout and previously attended Midlakes High School in Clifton Springs, New York. He took French classes throughout high school and sought to improve his skills by studying abroad, his father said.
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The Clifton Springs community held a prayer service over the weekend at the United Methodist Church, where friends and family lit candles and tied ribbons for the safe return of the missing 22-year-old.
“We love you and we hope you are safe. And we hope you can come back soon,” the older DeLand told Fox News Digital, addressing his son. “It’s always a tradition to get together with the family for Christmas.”
DeLand’s study abroad program was scheduled to end on December 17. His visa expires on January 20.
Ashley Papa and Maria Paronich of Fox News contributed to this report.
