An 11-year-old nonverbal autistic boy who went missing from a San Diego grocery store was found safely after venturing onto the freeway. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office acted quickly to locate the boy and reunite him with his family, according to the Daily Mail.
When the youngster fled the store while shopping with his family, the Santee Sheriff’s Station responded immediately. Deputies initiated a search, assisted by an ASTREA helicopter that made public notices. Shiloh Corbet, an off-duty Sheriff’s Dispatcher, observed the boy while driving home on the freeway at 5:15 p.m. She promptly notified the department’s communications center.
Dramatic Rescue Unfolds
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Corbet saw the youngster rushing toward an interstate onramp. She stopped her car and pursued him on foot. According to the sheriff’s office, the child approached the busy road’s shoulder, crossed the westbound lanes, and stood in the center divider. Corbet yelled out his name, as provided by the communications center, and advised him to stay put for his own protection.
Deputies Cody Green and Michael Moser arrived on the scene. They attempted to approach the youngster on a steep embankment, but he backed away. A dramatic video shows the child, clothed in red shorts and a black t-shirt, cowering along the ramp before darting onto the freeway. He hopped over an embankment, but the cops pursued him and securely apprehended him.
The boy was uninjured and returned to his relieved family. There were no injuries recorded.
Community Effort and Autism Awareness
The sheriff’s office praised the collaborative effort that led to the boy’s safe return. “We thank Sheriff’s Dispatcher Shiloh Corbet, Deputies Cody Green and Michael Moser, the Santee Sheriff’s Station, Lakeside Sheriff’s Substation, Sheriff’s ASTREA, Sheriff’s Communications Center, and several Good Samaritans,” the department stated.
The rescue occurred during Autism Awareness Month in April. The sheriff’s office highlighted its free Take Home Program, which helps locate people with autism or dementia who wander. To ensure a safe return, the program tailors search efforts based on medical and behavioral information provided by the family.
Similar Incident in New York
The San Diego rescue followed a similar incident in New York City. On April 18, Ruwaid Karim, a seven-year-old nonverbal autistic kid, disappeared from a Queens eatery. His mother, Farjana Akond, reported him missing after he walked away over breakfast. To aid in the hunt, the NYPD published photographs of the kid on social media.
A good Samaritan found Karim strolling 4.2 miles away on Manhattan’s E. 61st Street. He was on his way to the Empire State Building, a New York City landmark that he was obsessed with. The woman intervened as he stepped into traffic, dodging honking automobiles and pulling him to safety. She dialed 911, and authorities reunited Karim with his mother and sister.