Autistic Soccer Player Who Wandered Away From Lawrenceville School Found Safe

An autistic soccer player who wandered away from his game at the Lawrenceville School on Sunday was found safe, Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler said on Monday.

The 23-year-old NJ Special Olympic athlete went missing around noon on Sunday, Nov. 1.

The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Lawrence Township Police Department, Lawrence Township Fire Departments, the NJ State Police Aviation Division, Hopewell Township Police and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office K-9 tracking unit all responded to the scene.

The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Maverick and Officer David Smithson “locked on a scent” and assisted local police, firefighters and others in their search for the missing athlete.

The athlete was ultimately found unharmed, roughly 4.5 miles, away by a Hopewell Township Police patrol unit at approximately 2 p.m. on Carter Road.

“The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office K-9 tracking unit has grown into a highly specialized law enforcement component assisting in the pursuit of missing persons on a moment’s notice,” Kemler said.

Those primarily involved in search were Mercer County Sheriff’s Detective Vito Vacirca, Lawrence Township Police Sgt. Chris Longo, Ptl. Scott Kaloiario, Ptl. Tom Everest, Ptl. Edwin Podbielski, Ptl. Jim Vardanega, and Ptl. Shawn Carroll. Lawrenceville Fire Company Chief Gary Wasko and the Hopewell Township Police patrol division.