Remains Matched to Missing Boy With Autism

Source: NYT

The New York City medical examiner said on Tuesday that remains found on the Queens shoreline last week were those of Avonte Oquendo, a boy with autism who disappeared last fall after walking out of his school near the East River.

DNA testing confirmed the identity of the remains, said Julie Bolcer, the spokeswoman for the medical examiner’s office. Avonte’s mother and other relatives had provided the police with DNA samples for the purposes of those tests, she said.

After Avonte, who was 14, went missing, city agencies, aided by volunteers, participated in an extensive search. Posters were plastered around the city and regular subway announcements were made seeking information on his possible whereabouts.

The search narrowed on Friday after pieces of a body were discovered on the waterfront at College Point, along with articles of clothing and footwear – size 5 ½ Air Jordan sneakers — that appeared to match those worn by Avonte when he walked out of the Riverview School during the school day on Oct. 4.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/22/nyregion/remains-found-in-queens-are-matched-to-missing-autistic-boy.html