Found Deceased NY - Avonte Oquendo, 14, Long Island City, 4 Oct 2013

[margarita25]

It seems he ran straight towards Gantry Park, where surveillance video recorded him skipping in the park.

http://nysparks.com/parks/149/

Gantry Plaza State Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://www.yelp.com/biz/gantry-plaza-state-park-long-island-city

 

[Indy Anna]

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/10/20/family-gathers-party-for-massive-search-for-avonte-oquendo/
Family Gathers Party For Massive Search For Avonte Oquendo
Autistic Teen Has Been Missing Since 2 Weeks Ago Friday
October 20, 2013 10:00 PM

<snipped>

&#8220;You may no longer be searching for a boy in a clean gray striped shirt. He may have changed his clothes, picked up a sweatshirt or coat, he may be soiled, he may be with someone else. It is important to look at his face. He may not appear exactly as he does in his photographs,&#8221; a Facebook post on the page read. &#8220;Look carefully, pay attention to detail. And remember, he may be hiding in a place you&#8217;d never think to look.&#8221;

The post advised that Avonte could be avoiding crowds and loud noises by &#8220;by hiding in a tiny nook &#8211; behind, under or in something.&#8221;

From what I've read about Avonte, I doubt he would change his clothes. If he cannot feed himself, then he likely can't dress himself, either. But, I've wondered also about his toileting skills. I doubt he would seek out restroom facilities on his own. I can't imagine what condition he's in now, if he's still alive. I hope he is still alive and is found soon, but I know the chances are waning.

ETA: I also can't imagine someone with autism hanging out in a noisy place, or a place where a lot of people are around. He would likely be wary of anyone trying to help him. That's why I find it hard to believe that someone is taking care of him. He may stay around temporarily if offered something to eat and drink when he gets hungry and thirsty, but being in an unfamiliar environment he is going to bolt again as he did at school.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Preparing for a missing child with autism

At the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children we have seen a spike in the cases of missing children diagnosed with autism or related disorders. Many of these children are unable to communicate verbally, making it even more difficult for them to find the help they need.

http://blog.missingkids.com/post/64394524388/preparing-for-a-missing-child-with-autism


Fourteen-year-old Avonte Oquendo was last seen leaving his school on Oct. 4 in Astoria, N.Y. He was wearing a grey striped shirt, black jeans and black shoes. Avonte is reported to have autism and is nonverbal.

 

[NZkirsty]

Its been so long I'm still hoping for a happy ending

 

[Ms Suzanne]

Its been so long I'm still hoping for a happy ending

I am too.I pray they find him soon.

 

[Wednesday80]

Could he have gotten on a train and gotten somewhere and off without being checked for a boarding pass?

 

[Wednesday80]

Avonte Oquendo's missing flier is being displayed in Times Square #findAvonte

Any chance of somehow getting that on one of the 'live' billboards in Times Square, the ones that are digital? I wonder if a company or local companies/businesses would come together and pool resources to do that or if an agency would donate the space to give him at least a rotation in one that rotates different ads?

 

[HauntsForHope]

Could he have gotten on a train and gotten somewhere and off without being checked for a boarding pass?

Yes, absolutely yes. NYC Subways are unmanned turnstiles, which children are allowed to duck under because they ride for free. He can access the rails throughout the city. The only train you need a pass is the Long Island RR.

 

[HauntsForHope]

"Three hours after Avonte went missing, bloodhounds traced his scent to a marshy area near his school, but then lost the trail near the water, the source said.
One hour after that, the bloodhounds picked up Avonte's scent again, this time at a subway station nearby, the source said." http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/18/us/new-york-missing-autistic-teen/

 

[Wednesday80]

Yes, absolutely yes. NYC Subways are unmanned turnstiles, which children are allowed to duck under because they ride for free. He can access the rails throughout the city. The only train you need a pass is the Long Island RR.

TY, I had no idea children could ride for free; beyond subways though, are there any 'trains' like railroad trains that he could have gotten onto? Goodness, to even think about him being somewhere else and trying to get the word out about that!

 

[HauntsForHope]

TY, I had no idea children could ride for free; beyond subways though, are there any 'trains' like railroad trains that he could have gotten onto? Goodness, to even think about him being somewhere else and trying to get the word out about that!

Perhaps if he got into the train yard there might be, but it's not likely with the fences and cameras, he would have been spotted. The rail yard was searched thoroughly by the MTA workers.

 

[greycoupon]

"Three hours after Avonte went missing, bloodhounds traced his scent to a marshy area near his school, but then lost the trail near the water, the source said.
One hour after that, the bloodhounds picked up Avonte's scent again, this time at a subway station nearby, the source said." Hhttp://www.cnn.com/2013/10/18/us/new-york-missing-autistic-teen/

Does he take the subway when his mother/caregiver takes him to school? Or had he gone through that station prior to Oct 4th? I think they should be searching that marshy area again.

Have any of the news coverage mentioned if he knows how to swim? :tears: I'm really feeling like he was lost that very first day, even within the first hour or two. The delay in the school notifying the family is a really big deal.

 

[greycoupon]

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/10/20/family-gathers-party-for-massive-search-for-avonte-oquendo/
Family Gathers Party For Massive Search For Avonte Oquendo
Autistic Teen Has Been Missing Since 2 Weeks Ago Friday
October 20, 2013 10:00 PM

<snipped>

From what I've read about Avonte, I doubt he would change his clothes. If he cannot feed himself, then he likely can't dress himself, either. But, I've wondered also about his toileting skills. I doubt he would seek out restroom facilities on his own. I can't imagine what condition he's in now, if he's still alive. I hope he is still alive and is found soon, but I know the chances are waning.

ETA: I also can't imagine someone with autism hanging out in a noisy place, or a place where a lot of people are around. He would likely be wary of anyone trying to help him. That's why I find it hard to believe that someone is taking care of him. He may stay around temporarily if offered something to eat and drink when he gets hungry and thirsty, but being in an unfamiliar environment he is going to bolt again as he did at school.

This exactly. I just can't believe he would be okay with a stranger taking care of him. He would bolt and if he's running around looking for food, he would likely have been spotted.

 

[modesty blaise]

i think avonte went straight for the water and that was it ):

i don't know that they did any large scale searches or dives in the body of water that was nearby.

 

[Plumeria5]

Ok...grab your kleenex. A precious home video of Avonte on his birthday. What a sweet, darling boy! Somebody, please find him!!!

Exclusive Video of Missing Autistic Teen Avonte Oquendo - YouTube

His DOB is August 30, 1999 so this is probably his 14th birthday party.

 

[Plumeria5]

"Three hours after Avonte went missing, bloodhounds traced his scent to a marshy area near his school, but then lost the trail near the water, the source said.
One hour after that, the bloodhounds picked up Avonte's scent again, this time at a subway station nearby, the source said." http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/18/us/new-york-missing-autistic-teen/

Part of this same article:

"The previous notion that Avonte did not like water may not be correct, according to the source, who said Avonte apparently recently attended a class trip on a Circle Line Sightseeing cruise and was fascinated by the water. The NYPD had six divers in nearby water on Thursday using sonar, the source said."

http://www.circleline42.com/new-york-cruises-groups-charters/camps-schools.aspx

 

[rachaellouise]

Ugh. The longer he is missing the more the hope dwindles

 

[DPR4444]

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/10/21/avonte-oquendos-mother-if-you-have-my-son-let-him-go/


Avonte Oquendo&#8217;s Mother: If You Have My Son, Let Him Go

 

[NZkirsty]

Every time I wake up in the morning, I'm on here, hoping to hear that Avonte has been found where are you Avonte??

 

[HauntsForHope]

i think avonte went straight for the water and that was it ):

i don't know that they did any large scale searches or dives in the body of water that was nearby.

This is an excellent video regarding the search of the East River.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=9286869

"The school is near the East River, so the police deployed boats to look up and down the shoreline." ....
"The NYPD had six divers in nearby water on Thursday using sonar, the source said."

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/11/n...utistic-boy-who-walked-out-of-his-school.html

Thank you to Con Ed and TWC for setting up service to the Search Tent and providing free electric and internet service.