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Missing Student Located Following Day-Long Search

The boy was found and is being evaluated by emergency medical technicians and a paramedic unit.

 

This story was updated at 5:46 p.m. to include information on the child's condition.

A student of a Westfield school who jumped off a school bus and fled early Tuesday morning has been located, according to Westfield police.

The boy, 17 years old from North Haledon, was the subject of a day-long search by the Westfield Police Department as well as many neighboring municipalities. New Jersey National Guard helicopters searched overhead in the area of Lamberts Mill Road and Rahway Avenue during the afternoon and marine units responded to search the Clark Reservoir off Raritan Road.

Union County Police Chief Dan Vaniska said the missing juvenile was located, cold and wet, by a Union County Police Department patrol unit near Featherbed Lane in Clark.

Westfield Police Chief David Wayman said the youth, found on Victoria Drive in Clark, was "treated on scene by medical personnel for his own well being and transported to the hospital."

While police would not say which school the student attends, a spokesperson for the Westfield public school district confirmed that student does not attend a Westfield public school.

Police units were located in front of Lamberts Mill Academy, which according to its website "is an education program designed for students who require a comprehensive psycho-therapeutic approach in an education setting." When Patch called to confirm that the missing child is a student, the principal said all calls are being referred to a behaviorist at Trinitas Regional Medical Center. 

Vaniska said the search was "well done by all involved agencies."

Patch will update this story as more information becomes available. 

Related Topics: Westfield Police Department and missing child

Bob Adsit

5:24 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

One precious life saved. Outstanding.

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melanie calvert

6:00 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Helicopters? Why can't the local police do a thorough search? This is not O.J.! Give me a break!

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mapbar

9:05 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

You are right, he is not O.J. He is a child with special needs and needed a lot more than O.J.

L. Busby

7:10 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Melanie...your logic is lacking, with all due respect. Thank you, Bob! Agreed!

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westfieldmom

7:18 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

My son posted this on Facebook. He got the information from someone on the rescue squad. "A psych patient escaped from an ambulance or something while being transported. it was along lamberts mill rd. the guy likes to try and drown himself in bodies of water and they're looking for him now. saw a large police presence."

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Tim Wilson

7:29 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

It's great that they got him before he harmed himself ! Pretty clear he is a troubled young man. Parents have to be thankful for the effort put forth by all departments !

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Erick Merz

8:29 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Helicopters are needed to cover as much ground as possible. They can go places where patrol cars can't. Let's remember this was a search and rescue mission. The Westfield Police needed as they could get.

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Enough already

8:33 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Why would a student that is attending Beadleston in Westfield be from North Haledon, 30 miles away? Is this the only school with the specialization for this student's problems?

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1momaok

4:34 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Based on your screen name, it's obvious where you're going with your post....leave it alone for once

melanie calvert

5:20 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Just asking why the helicopters which the police answered. No one knew originally that the child had disabilities.I am glad the child is o.k. so stop being so testy!

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