The Suffolk Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance locating a juvenile runaway.

Christian Smith, 17, was placed in foster care in Suffolk by Chesapeake Family Services. That agency was preparing to remove the boy from the home when he ran away, according to a news release from Suffolk.

Police do not feel he is in danger but wish to locate him, according to the release. He has sent messages to his former foster mother saying he’s OK. Police believe he may be staying somewhere in Chesapeake, but all his previous addresses have been checked with negative results.

He is not currently enrolled in school.

There is no picture of Smith available at this time. He is described as a black male who is 5 feet, 9 inches tall and 125 pounds.

If you have any information about Smith, call Detective S.A. Balzer at 514-7944.