Teddy Bears Mailed To Woodbridge Police HQ For Local Teen Boy

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Over the weekend, Woodbridge Police unveiled a very sweet update to this 2019 story about a teenage Woodbridge boy with autism who called 911 after his teddy bear went missing.

This December, someone mailed dozens of teddy bears to the Woodbridge Police Dept. in honor of Ryan Paul, the Woodbridge teen who placed that now-famous 911 call.

His 2019 story went viral online and attracted much attention. And WPD patrolman Khari Manzini, the responding officer who helped him find his missing teddy bear, reunited with Ryan at Woodbridge Police HQ.

"It was a great reunion for both!" posted Woodbridge Police to Facebook this past Sunday, Dec. 18.

The initial incident happened in March of 2019: Ryan called 911 because his beloved teddy bear, "Freddy," was missing. However, the teen hung up before the 911 operator could speak to him.

Nevertheless, dispatch sent a police officer to the family home to make sure all was OK.

"We take 911 hang-up calls very seriously," said Manzini. "Because it could be someone being attacked or it could be as mundane as a pocket dial. But you just never know. So I drove to the home and the boy's father comes out into the yard as soon as I pulled up."

Bob Paul, Ryan's dad, was somewhat embarrassed and apologized that his son called the police for a missing bear. But Manzini still went inside the home to say hi to the teen.

"The dad said, 'I'm sorry, officer, but my son has autism and his teddy bear has fallen and needed to be rescued,'" said Manzini.

The bear had actually already been found by the time the officer went inside, but Ryan still hugged him and wanted to pose for photographs with the police officer, to which Manzini obliged.

Officer Manzini grew up in Woodbridge and still lives in the community he has been hired to protect. Like all Woodbridge police officers, he's received special training in dealing with kids and teens with autism.

"Everyone on the force shares the same dedication and passion to serving their community that I do," said the police officer in 2019. "At least, that's what I think. Before I left I said, 'Take care and if you ever need us again Ryan, I'm glad you know the number.'"

Initial Patch story: Woodbridge Police Officer Responds To 911 Call For Lost Bear (March 2019)