Avonte Oquendo
Exactly one month after a 14-year-old boy with autism disappeared after leaving his school in Long Island City, his brother, Danny, said the Rego Park teen’s family is more determined than ever to find Avonte Oquendo.
“Each day that passes without Avonte being found is more devastating than the previous,” Danny Oquendo wrote on a Facebook page dedicated to finding Avonte. “I still feel your energy, Avonte; I know you are out there somewhere.”
Avonte has been missing since he managed to leave the Center Boulevard School on 51st Avenue in Long Island City unattended Oct. 4. The 14-year-old was last seen on surveillance video running out of the school.
Once it was realized that Avonte was missing, all 468 of the city’s subway stations were searched for the boy who is particularly fascinated by trains.
Following a massive sweep of every station, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly enlisted the help of officials outside of the city to find the student whose disappearance has devastated his family.
“I wish this upon no family ever,” Danny Oquendo wrote. “Our lives will never be the same. Miss and love you Avonte… Let us all please work hard on searching for and spreading the awareness about my little brother. Nothing would make me more thankful than to see him at our dinner table for Thanksgiving.”
There is a reward of about $90,000 for the safe return of the teen.
Avonte was last seen wearing a gray striped shirt, black jeans and black sneakers. He is 5-foot-3 and weighs approximately 125 pounds.
Anyone with information about the missing child should call the NYPD at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit tips by logging onto www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting tips to 274637 and then entering TIP577.
More information about search efforts can be found at www.findAvonte.com.
By Anna Gustafson
