Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs responded to a call at 6:20 a.m. in Centereach on Saturday, August 1. They were called to the scene because a 13-year-old child, who is enrolled in the Sheriff’s Project Lifesaver Program, had gone missing.
The child, who has autism, was last seen in his bedroom at 10:00 p.m. the night before. His father noticed he was not in the residence when he woke in the morning. He immediately called 911 and the Project Lifesaver hotline, and 6 Deputy Sheriff units responded, along with officers from the Suffolk County Police Department’s 4th Precinct.
Upon arrival at the scene, Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs conducted an expansive 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 had left his home on an electric powered scooter, and traveled a distance, the signal was not picked up close to his house.
Deputy Sheriff John Hornick was eventually able to get a signal and the client was located at 10:42 a.m. He was found unharmed in Hauppauge, 4.7 miles from his home.
Sheriff Toulon praised the Deputy Sheriffs for locating the missing child 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. These stories don’t always end so well.”
