Friday, October 18, 2013

Autistic New York Boy Still Missing

The disappearance of Avonte Oquendo,14,from his Queens high school on the afternoon of October 4 has become a major incident as police and rescue personnel in New York and other states comb the region for the missing autistic teen.Metropolitan Transit Authority police are thoroughly searching subway stations at the beginning of each shift,and many volunteers have joined in the effort.Avonte is reportedly fond of trains,and police suggest he may have boarded one.
There is a $77,500 reward for information on where Avonte is.Police and rescue vehicles are playing a recording of his mother's voice asking him to approach the flashing lights on the vehicles.A school safety officer told Avonte to go back upstairs when he approached the front door of Center Boulevard School in Long Island City.Avonte,who does not speak,turned and went down another hallway,exiting the school by a side door,surveillance video shows.
It is common for autistic children to wander,throwing their families into an uproar.The Oquendo family has filed a Notice of Claim-the first step in a lawsuit against the City of New York.
Avonte is described as being black,five-foot-three inches tall and weighing about 120 pounds,and was last seen wearing a grey striped shirt,black jeans and black sneakers.If you know anything about him,please call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.

No comments: