A secret smartphone app was reportedly used to save a 13-year-old boy who was reported missing about four years ago.

The Georgia boy was reportedly reunited with his mother after police found him in a hidden garage compartment in his father's home, police stated, according to TIME.

The boy used a secret smartphone app to contact his mother via text, according to ABC News. Police initially left empty-handed after visiting the home the first time, but they returned after the boy sent a second message using the secret smartphone app describing his exact location.

He was reportedly discovered behind a fake wall concealed by a linen closet.

"We opened the compartment where he was," stated Clayton County Police Sgt. Joanna Southerland.

She added, "I saw him and asked him to come forward, and he was horrified. He was frozen with fear."

The boy's father, 37-year-old Gregory Jean, and stepmother, 42-year-old Samantha Joy Davis, were arrested and charged with false imprisonment, cruelty to children and obstruction, according to WXIA. Three other people were also reportedly charged in connection with the incident, according to CNN.

"They were really nice people, very open, they said come over anytime you want," Julie Pizarro, who lives across the street, told WXIA.

She continued, "The young man didn't seem under any distress. I guess you never know what's behind closed doors.

Neighbors reportedly saw the boy all the time.

"Gosh, it was right under our nose. We could have done something. But he was never in distress, it didn't seem like," stated neighbor Akono Ekundayo.