Town Employee Honored for Saving Autistic Teen

Hempstead Town Supervisor Anthony J. Santino and Councilman Bruce Blakeman, joined by Assemblyman Ed Ra, saluted a town worker whose conscientious nature and quick thinking resulted in the rescue of an autistic boy who had been reported missing on Monday evening during the nor'easter.

Town Communications employee Michael Caputo discovered the boy sleeping in a shed behind his Franklin Square home on Tuesday morning during the vicious storm. Caputo alerted police, who responded to aid the young man. The town officials presented Caputo with a “key to the town” for his heroic actions.

“There are heroes among us right here in our hometown,” said Santino. “As a result of the quick thinking and conscientious nature of Michael Caputo, a young man is safe today.”

The rescue story began in the morning on Tuesday, when Caputo awoke to hear helicopters flying overhead in his neighborhood. After checking local news stations for information on the unusual activity, the Franklin Square resident texted a neighbor to inquire about the helicopters. Caputo was told that police were searching for Joseph Barbella, a 16-year-old autistic boy who lived in the neighborhood.

A few minutes later, while retrieving trash cans that were blown about his property during the storm, Caputo had a hunch. He thought to himself, ‘my backyard shed looks a little bit like a house.’ Opening the shed doors, Caputo found a boy asleep inside. He immediately alerted the Nassau County Police Department, and officers responded to the shed.

“Franklin Square is a neighborhood that is like a big family. Residents care and look out for one another,” said Blakeman. “A neighbor who cared enough to take action is now a hero.”

Caputo showed a unique sensitivity during the rescue. He did not disturb the teen, fearing he would alarm the youth. Instead, he contacted police and got blankets to keep his neighbor warm and safe.

“Mike Caputo is a hometown hero, and a local boy is safe because of his actions,” said Santino. “I am happy that he was able to help a young man in need, and I am proud that he is a member of the town’s workforce.”

Supervisor Anthony Santino, third from left, presented the key to the town to Anthony Caputo, third from right. They were joined by Assemblyman Ed Ra, left, Councilman Bruce Blakeman, and Joseph Barbella and his father. Photo: Town of Hempstead.