An English-speaking teenager who appeared in Berlin saying he has lived in local woods for five years has police investigating the boy's story on Friday.
The boy is believed to be 17 years old and was found at the German capital's city hall on Sept. 5. He was taken in by a youth emergency centre, Michael Maass, a police spokesperson, said.
The boy told authorities that he had been living in a tent and earthen dugouts with his father after his mother died in a car accident about five years ago.
"He said that he had lived for the last five years wandering around with his father," Maass told The Associated Press. "We don't know where."
The boy, who speaks fluent English and only a few words of German, said he does not remember where his family came from and claims he followed his compass north after his father recently died.
Maass said that the boy, who appears to be in good health, only remembers the name his father called him, Ray, but not his last name.
Police have issued a Europe-wide appeal to try to identify the boy. However, police said they were not immediately releasing any photos of him.
With files from The Associated Press
