Missing Passaic 12-Year-Old With Autism Found In NYC: Prosecutor

A missing Passaic County girl with autism who went missing Friday was found safe in New York City, authorities announced.

The Passaic Police Department and Passaic Mayor Hector Lora announced Friday morning that Michele Cortes, 12, had been found safe. She had been reported missing after running away from School No. 1 at about 1 p.m. Friday.

Cortes was in the custody of the New York Administration for Children Services Saturday morning, said Passaic Police Capt. Jonathan Schaer. She was being taken to a New York hospital for an evaluation.

Cortes will be reunited with her parents, Juan Cortes and Araceli Vasquez. as soon as possible, Schaer said. They released a statement Saturday.

"We would like to thank God, the City of Passaic, Mayor Hector C. Lora, Chief of Police Luiz Guzman, and the men and women of the Passaic Police Department, as well as all of the law enforcement agencies involved in the search and safe return of our daughter, Michele. We would also like to thank the teachers, fellow parents, and volunteers for their tierless efforts through the long sleepless night.
"We are grateful that she has returned home safe and unharmed. We are very much looking forward to celebrating a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year as a family, and wish the same to everyone from the community who expressed concern, sent prayers, and were involved in bringing this to a joyful conclusion."

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora posted an update video Saturday morning about Cortes being found.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Michele Cortes, 12 (Passaic County Police Department)