Missing Centereach Teen Found By Suffolk Deputy Sheriffs

HAUPPAUGE, NY — A 13-year-old Centereach boy who went missing was found Saturday morning by Suffolk County deputy sheriffs. They responded to a call at 6:20 a.m. as the teen, who is enrolled in the Sheriff's Project Lifesaver Program, had gone missing, the office said in a news release.

The child, who has autism, was last seen in his bedroom at 10 p.m. Friday. His father realized he was not in the home when he woke up Saturday. He immediately called 911 and the Project Lifesaver hotline, and six deputy sheriff units responded, along with officers from the Suffolk County Police Department's Fourth Precinct.

The deputy sheriffs performed a search using Project Lifesaver technology, which can pick up the unique radio signals emitted from the wristbands worn by the program's clients. Since the boy left his home on an electric-powered scooter and traveled a distance, the signal was not picked up close to the house.

Deputy Sheriff John Hornick eventually got a signal, and the boy was found at 10:42 a.m. He was found unharmed in Hauppauge, 4.7 miles from his home.

Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. praised the deputy sheriffs for finding the boy and returning him home safely.

"Project Lifesaver technology in conjunction with excellent police work by our Deputy Sheriffs enabled this young man to be returned home quickly and safely," Toulon said. "These stories don't always end so well."