HI HI - Benjamin "Benny" Rapoza, 6, autistic, non-verbal, Hilo, 20 Dec 2019

[alyssa5597]

NCMEC Missing Poster:
Missing Since: Dec 20, 2019
Missing From: Hilo, HI
DOB: Dec 20, 2013
Age Now: 6
Sex: Male
Race: White
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Height: 3'0"
Weight: 60 lbs
Benjamin was last seen on December 20, 2019.

Extensive Search Underway For Missing 6 Year Old Benjamin Rapoza
(BIVN) – Hawaiʻi Island police and the Hilo community continue to ask for the public’s assistance as they search for missing 6-year-old Benjamin Rapoza.

Police say Rapoza was last seen at a residence in the 2100 block of Kalanianaole Street at around 3 p.m. on Friday, December 20. Since that time, a “multi-agency search effort has yielded minimal results during an extensive search for Benjamin,” police say.

Police are concerned for his welfare as Benjamin is diagnosed with nonverbal autism. The missing boy “is described as local, standing about 3-feet tall, weighing about 50 pounds, slim build, with short brown hair, brown eyes, and a fair complexion” a police alert stated, adding that “he was last seen wearing only a diaper.”

Community members and concerned citizens from the Keaukaha volunteered to assist in searching for “Benny”, in an effort that included personnel and assets from the Hawaiʻi Fire Department, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, U.S. Coast Guard, “Team Adam” from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, both Area I and II Criminal Investigations Divisions, and South Hilo Patrol.

 

[alyssa5597]

Big Island authorities, volunteers continue search for missing 6-year-old boy

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Big Island authorities and scores of volunteers are continuing to search for a 6-year-old boy with autism who went missing Friday afternoon.

Hawaii County Civil Defense said Benjamin Rapoza was last seen about 3 p.m. at the intersection of Kalanianaole Avenue and Koloa Street in Keaukaha. He was wearing a diaper.

Police said the boy, who is nonverbal, is about 3 feet tall about weights 50 pounds. He has short brown hair, brown eyes and a fair complexion.

Capt. Greg Esteban said the boy went missing while family were visiting a home in Keaukaha and there are indications that he was in the back of the property.

Esteban said the search “has grown to a huge community effort.”

“We’re encouraging the public, if they see anything that leads us to where Benny may be, to please notify police immediately,” Esteban said.

He added that the boy “has a fascination with water” and may be close to the shoreline.

“We continue to hold out hope that we’ll be able to find him,” he said. “We’re allocating as much resources, as much personnel as we can."

On Friday morning, the search was being hampered by rain. Hilo residents are being asked to search their properties and vehicles for the boy.

Family members described the boy as shy.

Anyone with information on the child is asked to call police at 935-3311.

 

[alyssa5597]

Maps showing the proximity to water from where Benny went missing:

 

[rainynights]

Media release update: 12-21-19 Search continues for missing 6-year old Benjamin “Benny” Rapoza (Update)

[...]

Community members and concerned citizens from the Keaukaha and Hilo areas also volunteered to assist in searching for “Benny”.

Rain and heightened ocean swells hampered portions of the search and posed a navigation hazard to the fire department’s rescue vessel, requiring it return to shore. Neither the vessel nor the personnel onboard sustained damages or injuries.

“We are truly grateful to the incredible response from the community during the search for Benny. While we encourage the public’s assistance, we do not want any injuries or mishaps, so please be vigilant of the ocean conditions and do not place your personal safety at risk.” said Captain Greg Esteban, Commander of the Area I Criminal Investigations Division.

Police continue to ask anyone with information on Benjamin’s whereabouts or may have seen him in the Keaukaha areas to call the Detective BJ Sagon at (808) 961-8883 or email [email protected].

Media release: 12-21-19 Missing child: Benjamin Rapoza

 

[alyssa5597]

Keahi Tucker on Twitter

Keep an eye out for this autistic 6 year old near Hilo. Police say Benny Rapoza was last seen this evening near the 2100 block of Kalanianaole Avenue, in Keaukaha. He was wearing a diaper with no shirt. Call 911 if you see him.

 

[alyssa5597]

Weather Conditions Make Search Difficult for Missing 6-year-old Boy

It’s been 24 hours since the disappearance of 6-year-old Benny Rapoza. The boy was last seen at a shoreline residence in the Keaukaha area on the 2100 block of Kalanianaole Avenue.

Benny is diagnosed with nonverbal autism and needs immediate care. Despite the urgency to find him, Hawai‘i County police say his disappearance doesn’t qualify for an Amber Alert to be activated.

Police, Hawai‘i County Fire, the US Coast Guard as well as a tracking dog have been looking for Benny. A large response from the community has also come out to search for the 6-year-old.

With a high wind warning and high surf advisory, conditions have made the search difficult. According to Hawai‘i County Police Chief Samuel Thomas there has been on and off rain, occasional wind gusts and strong surf along the shoreline.

As of 3:30 p.m. today, police say conditions seem to have worsened with wind and surf picking up. Assistant Chief Robert Wagner said since the best time to search is daytime officers will probably do limited searching after dark today and kick back up in the morning.

“They are as of right now scheduled to be there until tomorrow at 6 p.m. at which time they will reassess,” Wagner said.

Hawai‘i County Fire Department Battalion Chief Matthias Kusch said they had a boat and divers in the water earlier this morning but both were pulled out due to “chaotic water conditions.”

Crew from chopper 1 have been flying up down the shoreline. Kusch said the helicopter will stay airborne until later this afternoon.

While firefighters have focused their efforts on an aerial search, Kusch said, the ground teams have had their challenges, searching through overgrowth and areas littered with alkaline ponds.

Benny’s sister Tabitha Marcelo has been out all night and day searching for her brother.

“We need him back home,” she said. “He must be so scared out there!”

Benny is described as Caucasian, 3-feet tall, 50 pounds with brown eyes and short brown hair, thin build and having a fair complexion. He was last seen bareback and wearing a diaper.

Marcelo suggests to anyone assisting in the search to play the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song.

“He loves SpongeBob with a passion,” she said. “I’ve been playing it all night.”

 

[lucky181]

Find Benjamin Rapoza facebook

Find Benjamin Rapoza

 

[HayLouise]

The search continues for missing 6-year-old Benny Rapoza in Hilo. For more info download the @KHONnews mobile app.

(Video)

Sam Spangler on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

UPDATE FOR DEC. 22 at 2:30pm

Search efforts are on going and their has been no sign of Benny yet. Multiple emergency officials, law enforcement and volunteers continue their search for any sign of Benny Rapoza.

Current weather conditions as of 2:24pm Scattered showers with light wind but very rough seas.

Just to clarify that the Hub/Volunteer station at 2135 Kalanianaole Ave is not his home/place of residence.

Please remember to dress for various weather conditions and safety, and please drive safe in the Keaukaha area.

We will provide updates as information becomes available.

Mahalo for your Kokua!



Find Benjamin Rapoza

 

[HayLouise]

3 hours ago:

These are just some of few areas that have been searched by volunteers soo far as of today.

We’re getting reports of more searches conducted today by volunteers and air rescues in the areas of

Break wall
Carl Smith
Yaght Club
Puumaile
Onekahakaha
Chalks/Browns Beach
Puhi Bay
Lalakea
Leleiwi

And numerous homes, streets, evacuation routes and properties within Keaukaha & along the coastlines.



Find Benjamin Rapoza

 

[HayLouise]

UPDATE FOR DEC. 22 at 8PM

Still no sign of Benny yet. Due to staffing shortages, weather and safety. The Hub and Check in at 2135 Kalanianaole Ave will be closed for the evening and will reopen tomorrow morning at 8am.

You may continue to search if you choose too at your own risk and in a safe manner. At this time we ask that you respect the family and not to check in to the hub until it reopens tomorrow at 8am.

We will provide you with any updates and information as it becomes available. Mahalo for your help and continued efforts in bringing Benny Rapoza home.

Find Benjamin Rapoza

 

[JerseyGirl]

Police said he has been diagnosed with autism and is non-verbal.

Search for missing 6-year-old boy on Big Island continues into third day

 

[HayLouise]

Extensive Search Underway For Missing 6 Year Old Benjamin Rapoza. Police are concerned for his welfare as Benjamin is diagnosed with nonverbal autism.

Extensive Search Underway For Missing 6 Year Old Benjamin Rapoza

NCMEC on Twitter

 

[Mentalheadslap2018]

Keahi Tucker on Twitter

Keep an eye out for this autistic 6 year old near Hilo. Police say Benny Rapoza was last seen this evening near the 2100 block of Kalanianaole Avenue, in Keaukaha. He was wearing a diaper with no shirt. Call 911 if you see him.

Oh my lord, I hope they find this little boy safe. Prayers!

 

[HayLouise]

Fire Department Air Rescue assisting in the search for Benny last night.

(Video)

Find Benjamin Rapoza

 

[rosesfromangels]

I like the idea of the Sponge Bob music. He could very well be afraid of all the commotion and hiding.
I think dogs are the best option in this situation.

prayers for this little keiki.

 

[RobinCAL]

I really hope this has a happy ending. Poor baby boy.

 

[Scrapper18]

Oh no! Praying this little guy is found safe and sound.

 

[HayLouise]

UPDATE for Dec 23 at 11am

Still no sign of Benny. Search and rescue have been dispatched this morning with divers currently in the water fronting leleiwi now that waters have calmed down.

If you plan to volunteer please stop by our check in at 2135 Kalanianaole Ave.

Be sure to dress appropriately for various weather conditions, pack water, snacks and tabis If you plan to walk the coast, the rocks are slippery.

We will provide more updates as information becomes available. Mahalo!



Find Benjamin Rapoza

 

[UnapologeticallyAspie]

UPDATE for Dec 23 at 11am

Still no sign of Benny. Search and rescue have been dispatched this morning with divers currently in the water fronting leleiwi now that waters have calmed down.

If you plan to volunteer please stop by our check in at 2135 Kalanianaole Ave.

Be sure to dress appropriately for various weather conditions, pack water, snacks and tabis If you plan to walk the coast, the rocks are slippery.

We will provide more updates as information becomes available. Mahalo!

View attachment 221980

Find Benjamin Rapoza

This makes me sooo sad!!!!
If Benny has not wandered into the ocean (please God NO) & has not been snatched then I agree with @rosesfromangels, he is probably hiding. Scared to practically death I know. Not being able to communicate with words, not like being touched, probably having sensory processing disorder, the sounds/noises, the rain, the lights & any other sensory issue probably has already created multiple extreme meltdowns & he’s in full blown shutdown mode. IMO.JMO.MOO.
When I was 6 I was left in a car, in the middle of the night, in a place that I had never been so my mom could go party (alcohol & cocaine) in a house on that street I was on. It was HORRIFIC for me. And I wasn’t nonverbal. There was a thunderstorm which had me freaked out, coupled with being left alone in a place that I didn’t know, I got myself out of the car & wandered around that street screaming & crying hysterically until someone came outside & found me. I’m now 41 & those memories still upset me to this day. As I write this I’m holding back my tears. So I can only imagine how ATROCIOUSLY AWFUL it is & has been for Benny. MOO.
Benny I am so so very sorry that you are experiencing all of this confusion & all of this anguish. I am praying for your safety & that God will bring you home unscathed with no negative mental repercussions, immediately!!!!

Edit: grammatical corrections.