TOMS RIVER – The search for a 17-year-old autistic male has ended after the teen was found safe and sound.
Toms River Police Department Spokesperson Jillian Messina confirmed the boy was located by Toms River Fire Company members in a wooded area of town.
Messina said on January 25 shortly before 6 p.m., multiple Toms River Police and Fire units, Toms River K9 Unit, Detective Unit, along with the New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit, Ocean County Sheriff K9 and Drone Units, and Silverton EMS were dispatched to Cattus Island Park for the report of the missing teen. He was located around 7:30 p.m.
Police said he was taken to Community Medical Center as a precautionary measure.
In a press release, Chief Mitch Little said “we would like to thank all of the first responders who came out to look for this young man, as well as the residents in the neighborhood who are on alert to make sure he came home safe tonight.”
