CNN reported Wednesday that a boy with a rare social
disorder spent 11 days in October wandering New York's immense subway system
until a police officer recognized him from a missing persons' poster, according
to police and the child's mother.
Francisco Hernandez Jr., 13, has Asperger's syndrome, a
developmental disorder that affects the ability to communicate and socialize.
The child disappeared on Oct. 15, after he thought he was in trouble at school,
according to his mother, Marsiela Garcia of Brooklyn.
Garcia told CNN that she contacted the police when her
son went missing, but she felt that was unproductive.
Garcia and her husband took matters in their own hands
and posted signs and fliers around the neighborhood about their missing son.
The teen was identified by a transit police officer in
the Coney Island section of New York, who identified the missing child from the
flier. The child then returned home unharmed and hungry, since he lived off of
potato chips and other small snacks he bought at the transit station.
"Francisco told
his mother he didn't ask for help or communicate with anyone, which experts say
is not uncommon for people with Asperger's syndrome."
"The New York City Police Dept. originally treated her son's case as a runaway, according to his mother." Garcia was so frustrated with police that she consulted the Mexican consulate for help. Police involved in this case have stated that they have taken the appropriate actions to find the child.
Links:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/11/25/new.york.subway.teen/index.html
http://news.aol.com/article/francisco-hernandez-jr-missing-for-11/783652
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