Human remains found in Queens; Avonte Oquendo family notified

[hrmjustin]

Eyewitness News
QUEENS (WABC) -- Authorities in Queens are investigating the discovery of remains found next to the East River, and sources tell Eyewitness News that police have notified the family of missing autistic teenager Avonte Oquendo about the investigation.

The remains, said to be a human arm and legs, were found on a rock in the water near the College Point Yacht Club around 7 p.m. Thursday. Police responded to a 911 call in the vicinity of Powell Cove Boulevard and Endeavor Place after a 14-year-old girl stumbled across the limbs.

The sources said a pair of sneakers was also found, but it could not be confirmed if it belonged to the 14-year-old non-verbal boy who disappeared after running out of his Long Island City school 15 weeks ago Friday, on October 4.

The family's attorney, David Perecman, says DNA tests will provide the final say and that relatives are not counting on anything until that determination has been made. He confirmed that the pant and shoe sizes found on the remains match what Avonte was wearing when he vanished.


http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=9396907

[Common Sense Party]

1. I hope it's not, and at the same time I sort of hope it is him,

just so they will know, and they can bury his remains. How tragic for them.

I'm wondering if they have done any studies on autistic youth--trying to see why so many of them wander.

I have to count our blessings. Our 20-year old son doesn't talk at all, but he has never had the wandering inclination. He stays not just close to home, but IN home.

[hrmjustin]

2. I understand what you mean.

I hope they sue the city for allowing this to happen.

[Common Sense Party]

3. I didn't even realize he wandered away from school.

Out here in the hinterlands we didn't get many details of the story, only that he was missing.

[hrmjustin]

4. A teacher saw him and did not stop him. The security guards were not at the front door.

The city is looking cat a major lawsuit.

[Common Sense Party]

5. That's always been a worry for me.

My son is in an out-building, off of the main school campus. There are no security guards. His teacher and aides do a pretty good job watching him, but I know they can't have eyes-on every second of every minute.

Luckily, as I said, my son doesn't wander.

I don't know. I'm not overly litigious. I I were in the situation, I don't think I would sue, but that's my preference.

[hrmjustin]

6. I think because the city was so at fault they are sueing.

[dorkzilla]

9. They filed a Notice of Claim back in October

This was in the WSJ about a week after the child went missing:

The mother of a missing 14-year-old boy with autism has filed legal papers saying she intends to sue the city for $25 million, accusing the city and the department of education of recklessly allowing the student to walk away from school.

http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2013/10/11/missing-autistic-students-mother-intends-to-sue-city/

[hrmjustin]

10. The city will have to settle because they will loose in a trial.

[shenmue]

7. Lord have mercy

[hrmjustin]

8. Very sad story. The family said they won't believe till they prove it.