ACS Updates On Search For Children Abducted From Forestdale

Police in the 112 Precinct and beyond are still on the hunt for a mother who abducted her eight children from a Forest Hills foster care center on Monday.

Shanel Nadal, 28, took all eight of her children from the Forestdale campus during a supervised visit. She has not been seen since.

Thursday afternoon, the Administration for Children’s Services released a statement, update New Yorkers on the progress of the search.

“The Administration for Children’s Services is working diligently with the NYPD and law enforcement to locate the children and ensure their safety,” said spokesman Michael Fagan. “We have initiated an investigation to determine how this incident could have occurred during a supervised visit.  During supervised visits, an agency staff member should be present at all times while still affording the family personal time together.” 

In addition to the statement, Fagan clarified the situation surrounding the abduction, saying that at any foster care agency — like Forestdale — there are often many family visits with both foster and birth parents, happening at any one time, and that the agency where the meeting is taking place is responsible for the safety and security of foster care children.

On Wednesday night, police also released updated color photos of the eight Payne children, in the hopes that someone in a position to identify the children would be better able to make a determination.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of the Payne children or Shanel Nadal, please call Crime Stoppers at at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).  The public can also submit tips at the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577.  All calls are confidential.