Crime & Safety
Nonverbal Teen Vanishes In Midtown, Finds Family Next Day In Queens
"I have no idea how it happened," Connor Lian's father told Pix 11. "It's a miracle!"
MIDTOWN, NY — A scared, nonverbal teen from California vanished outside St. Patrick's Cathedral Wednesday only to reappear the next day, to the shock and joy of his family, in Queens, according to police and reports.
Parents William and Amy Lian lost their son Connor, 16, near Fifth Avenue and East 5oth Street when protesters passed by and a loud noise frightened the autistic teen, according to police and a Pix11 report.
“He got scared, and he just ran away from us," William told PIX 11. "I turn around and he was just gone. I looked all over the place and I couldn’t see him.”
Find out what's happening in Midtown-Hell's Kitchenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The family was up all night worrying about their missing son and the next day NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell pitched in to help, according to the report and police.
"We need him to be located," Sewell said at an unrelated Thursday afternoon press conference.
Find out what's happening in Midtown-Hell's Kitchenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Just hours later, Connor showed up at the Flushing home where the family was staying with relatives — 10 miles away from where he was last seen in Midtown, the family told PIX 11.
The family believes Connor took the subway, most likely the 7 train, but they can't be sure.
"I did not even know how he got home. It was the first time for him to be in New York City," William told the news station.
"I have no idea how it happened," he added. “It’s a miracle."
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