Missing Crown Heights Teen Found After Week-Long Search, NYPD Says

BROOKLYN, NY — After going missing for over a week and spurring a neighborhood-wide search effort, a Crown Heights teenager was found Thursday, officials confirmed.

"Aunisty Elliot has been found and is safe!!!" announced Brooklyn Councilmember Crystal Hudson, who spearheaded the local search efforts. Police also confirmed she has been found and is safe.

Elliot, 14, went missing from her Prospect Place home on the morning of July 27.

Hudson sounded alarm bells this week about Elliot's disappearance, organizing a neighborhood canvassing effort that brought Aunisty's mother, aunt, a classmate and about three dozen concerned citizens into the streets of Crown Heights Wednesday night, the Council Member told Patch.

"It was a really diverse group of concerned constituents," Hudson said in an interview with Patch. She asked Patch to reiterate, "How thankful I am they came out."

Hudson felt compelled to act because of staggering statistics that a disproportionate number of Black women are reported missing in the U.S. every year and Black children are more likely to go missing for longer.

Hudson also said Black girls are 10 times less likely to get an Amber Alert.

"When Black girls are missing, no one is bothered and nothing stops," Hudson said. "The odds were stacked against Aunisty and her family."

Hudson told Patch she has received word from Aunisty's family that the little girl back with her family, but she didn't know what condition the girl or her family were in.

"I can only imagine they're relieved," said Hudson. "[It's] relief and joy that I feel."

Patch editor Kathleen Culliton contributed to this report.