Found Safe NJ - Thomas Kolding, 15, Mountain Lakes, 30 Oct 2018

[SD123Me]

$1000 isn’t going to get him far is correct. I think we need to take the “elitist” nonsense out of this situation. There is pressure in every family, community and society to be the “best”. It’s a parent’s responsibility to appropriately temper that pressure so that their child can be successful not only academically but as a human being. Some parents have the tools, some do not, some don’t care. <modsnip - not victim friendly>

 

[JerseyGirl]

Realogy executive asks for help finding missing son

Missing NJ 15-year-old just doesn't want to be found

 

[Brownie01]

Anyone else read this story and thought of the young man who disappeared and was later found dead in the Alaska wilderness as chronicled in “Into the Wild”? My now 16 year old son and I read it together when he was 13 or 14 (because I think it is extremely disturbing and didn’t want him to read it alone). Then I subsequently read the sister’s book about what had happened in their house growing up that caused him to want to disappear “into the wild” after college. Would be curious to know whether Thomas had read this story and was somehow inspired by it. Or whether there were similar things going on at home to cause him to want to leave, more than simple pressure to succeed. (I also have a freshman in honors math and science and I can’t imagine a “bad” grade causing her to want to run away or me noting her course selections in a press release!). I hope he is safe. $1K really doesn’t go that far these days...

 

[MissMYB]

There is something else going on here, I can almost guarantee.

 

[JerseyGirl]

There is something else going on here, I can almost guarantee.

I agree. Showing up in Camden after being seen at the Newark Broad Street station a few days before makes no sense if he is running away.

Running away to Camden? Why? It's a drug and crime infested city. I'd be scared for him. Personally, I think he would have been safer in NYC or Philadelphia. What are his options after Camden? Not a lot, not even close to the options he had in Newark, New York City, and Philadelphia.

I don't believe he was on his way to Philadelphia. No one comes from Newark/New York and goes to Philadelphia by way of Camden. You take NJ Transit to Trenton, then SEPTA to Philadelphia (if you are trying to stay away from Amtrak).

What was/is he doing in Camden?

 

[Vedder]

There is something else going on here, I can almost guarantee.

Yes, I agree. Very worrisome. I hope he contacts his family or someone he trusts soon.

 

[Curiousobserver]

I lived in both Hoboken and Bloomfield on the border of north newark, so I am somewhat knowledgeable of his possible routes. I actually don’t know if I agree he chose these routes for a reason. Things may not have worked out the way he planned. Boarding a plane alone to get on a flight that your parents booked for you is different than trying to navigate the country on your own as a

This bothers me also- where does a 15 yr old sleep? As a homeless person he would stick out like a sore thumb. You would burn through that cash pretty fast if her were paying for lodging.

 

[TTF14]

I agree. Showing up in Camden after being seen at the Newark Broad Street station a few days before makes no sense if he is running away.

Running away to Camden? Why? It's a drug and crime infested city. I'd be scared for him. Personally, I think he would have been safer in NYC or Philadelphia. What are his options after Camden? Not a lot, not even close to the options he had in Newark, New York City, and Philadelphia.

I don't believe he was on his way to Philadelphia. No one comes from Newark/New York and goes to Philadelphia by way of Camden. You take NJ Transit to Trenton, then SEPTA to Philadelphia (if you are trying to stay away from Amtrak).

What was/is he doing in Camden?

It's possible he knows very little about public transportation, including how to read a transit map. He may just be wandering.

 

[DizzyB]

It's the sleeping part that bothers me too. He may have been "safe" at one time, but it's been 5 days since the last sighting. Heavy rain tonight. He looks so young that I think I would notice him on a train or bus. I expect that most transit workers have been alerted to be looking for him.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Ok so he IS pretty savvy in his attempt to elude his family and LE.

By taking the train from Denville to Newark, then somehow getting into NYC Penn at midnight last Tuesday, he laid low until Saturday, when he surfaced at the station in Camden (presumably from a train as far north as NYC). Then had the sense to walk the Ben Franklin in Camden into Philadelphia.

It's amazing they found him on camera at 8th and Race in Philly on Saturday too. Anyone know what kind of neighborhood that is?

There must be a gazillion street cameras. How did they possibly find him on that street corner at that particular time.

The internet can teach your kid how to run away from home. Parents, here’s what to know

 

[JerseyGirl]

Miami Twp. police have received multiple reports of possible Kolding sightings, according to a Facebook post.

Missing New Jersey teen may be in Miami Twp. area

OHIO?!!?

 

[Gardener1850]

Miami Twp. police have received multiple reports of possible Kolding sightings, according to a Facebook post.

Missing New Jersey teen may be in Miami Twp. area

OHIO?!!?

Maybe he found a bus after all? Or he is hitchhiking saying he wants to go to California...
I can easily see him making it to Ohio in 5 days by hitchhiking. This case needs more national attention so that the next person who picks him up will hopefully realize he is a missing kid. JMO.

 

[Judas]

The case has received plenty of national attention, including on network news. The family hired a public relations consultant to do things like schedule Today Show interviews.

 

[Hippononymous]

I really think this kid has to have some help! 15 is not that old to really understand how to travel long distances on his own, even if he is "savvy." My kids are both savvy travelers (although younger than this kid) and wouldn't get very far on their own without asking for help of some kind/being spotted by someone. MOO

 

[bears10]

He must have some sort of electronic device like a phone, tablet, laptop, etc. If not, how is he navigating around unfamiliar places? Unless he's been asking people for directions, I can't see how he is getting from place to place.

 

[Judas]

Father of missing New Jersey teen speaks out

Nicolai Kolding worrying about the words that he used while arguing with his son

 

[Vedder]

He must have some sort of electronic device like a phone, tablet, laptop, etc. If not, how is he navigating around unfamiliar places? Unless he's been asking people for directions, I can't see how he is getting from place to place.

Maybe he has a burner phone.

 

[zecats]

Ok so he IS pretty savvy in his attempt to elude his family and LE.

By taking the train from Denville to Newark, then somehow getting into NYC Penn at midnight last Tuesday, he laid low until Saturday, when he surfaced at the station in Camden (presumably from a train as far north as NYC). Then had the sense to walk the Ben Franklin in Camden into Philadelphia.

It's amazing they found him on camera at 8th and Race in Philly on Saturday too. Anyone know what kind of neighborhood that is?

There must be a gazillion street cameras. How did they possibly find him on that street corner at that particular time.

The internet can teach your kid how to run away from home. Parents, here’s what to know

Yes. 8th and Race in Philly is part of Chinatown. 3 streets over from Market Street and 7 blocks to City Hall. Not a bad part of Philly. Go there all the time. Bus Station also close on Filbert only 2 blocks from that location. Race would be where he’d end up if he walked Ben Franklin Bridge. .

 

[zecats]

I agree. Showing up in Camden after being seen at the Newark Broad Street station a few days before makes no sense if he is running away.

Running away to Camden? Why? It's a drug and crime infested city. I'd be scared for him. Personally, I think he would have been safer in NYC or Philadelphia. What are his options after Camden? Not a lot, not even close to the options he had in Newark, New York City, and Philadelphia.

I don't believe he was on his way to Philadelphia. No one comes from Newark/New York and goes to Philadelphia by way of Camden. You take NJ Transit to Trenton, then SEPTA to Philadelphia (if you are trying to stay away from Amtrak).

What was/is he doing in Camden?

That part of Camden is not too bad. Close to the waterfront and aquarium. Also close to Rutgers University Camden branch and Cooper Hospital.

 

[Lamima]

Haven't read this thread much but maybe he was online chatting with someone he thought was a young girl but isn't and has been lured there.