A young boy who went missing four years ago was discovered, alive and well, hidden behind a false wall when police responded to a call at an Atlanta home Friday.

The child, who lived in another state, was reunited with his mother Saturday. He went missing in 2010 after his father reportedly refused to return him to his mother.

According to NBC, Clayton County police had received a tip about the home but were unable to find anything during their first visit.

"Upon initial arrival, responding officers made contact with several occupants at the location who denied having knowledge of any information concerning the victim," Clayton County police Sgt. Kevin Hughes told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "After a brief search of the premises, the officers left without locating the victim."

But a few hours later, they received a second call with more information that enabled them to conduct a thorough search of the home.

It's not clear whether the child had a cell phone, but cops say he was able to call his mother during the second search, enabling her to "pass along critical information" to police.

"While at the location during the second call, the victim was able to establish phone contact with his mother and she in turn passed on additional information to the officers on the scene," a Clayton County Police spokesperson told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "The victim was found behind a false wall within the residence."

According to the AJC, the boy wasn't always confined behind the wall—a neighbor told Channel 2 he was "frequently outside the house, mostly doing yard work but sometimes playing."

Five people—reportedly the boy's father, stepmother and three juveniles—living in the home were arrested and charged with obstruction, false imprisonment and cruelty to children.

[image via 11alive]