Updated 06:32 AM EDT, Fri, Mar 29, 2024

Avonte Oquendo Search Update: Search Enters Third Month

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It has been three months since 14-year-old Avonte Oquendo was last seen running out of his school in Long Island City, Queens. The holidays came and went, but there was no sign of the severely autistic teen. 

Avonte's mother, Vanessa Fontaine, wanted nothing more than her son to be home for Christmas, but that never happened. 

"Very depressing not to have him home, it wasn't a Christmas," Fontaine told PIX 11

Instead of having her son home for the holidays, she was forced to keep searching for any clues that could lead to the whereabouts of her son. The only information that has come to light is a report that was recently released by the Department of Education.

The family's attorney, David Perecman, obtained a report about his disappearance, which indicates negligence on the part of educators. Perecman said the occurrence report shows a "disturbing timeline." 

Perecman said Avonte disappeared when his class was en route to a technology room. The timeline proves that a security camera showed Avonte on the fir st floor at 12:37. At 12:40 p.m., Avonte's teacher noticed he was missing.

Then at 12:56, the assistant principal was notified, proving there was a delayed response to his disappearance. 

Perecman also reported to WNYC that it took school officials an hour to call Avonte's mother after he ran away, and almost two hours before they could review the school's surveillance footage. 

PIX11 reached out to the Department of Education, and a spokesperson commented, "Avonte's disappearance is a heartbreaking situation, and Chancellor Walcott has spoken with Avonte's family and expressed his deep concern as Chancellor, as a parent and as a grandparent."

The case is under investigation by the Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation. 

"There's no question that based on this report that the NYPD was not contacted promptly," said Perecman.

Despite the search entering its third month, the Oquendo family is still hoping to find Avonte. They have an official Facebook page, Official Help Find Avonte, to get the word out about what people can do to pitch in with the search effort. The page has a PayPal account that allows people to donate money to cover expenses for items that are needed during the search. 

The family is also imploring people to volunteer to help with the search by distributing fliers. The address of the Avonte Oquendo search headquarters is 21-81A 24th Street Astoria, NY 11105, and the phone number is 718-606-6610.

Fontaine spoke recently to the Queens Gazette about her son's disappearance. 

"We want to get word out that Avonte is still missing," she said. "When he first disappeared, dozens of volunteers showed up to help with the search. We understand that people have their own lives, their own priorities," Fontaine continued. "But we need volunteers to go out and look for him. We need people who can spread the word that Avonte is still missing."

As of Dec. 1, 2013, police said they have received close to 900 tips on the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline. Almost every tip has been investigated, but to no avail. Investigators have also viewed close to 1,000 videos, but they have not been able to locate the missing teen. The tapes have led to the discovery of two other missing children, however. 

The search for Avonte has expanded into New Jersey, Long Island, Westchester and parts of upstate New York. 

"He is extremely shy around strangers," family members said. "So we are telling anyone who might see him to approach him very calmly. Print his name on a piece of paper and if he responds, call 911 immediately," family members said. "Stay with him because he is likely to try to run away. Call 911 and give the operator any new location he may take you to."

Fontaine believes that her son is alive, and that he was most likely abducted by a stranger shortly after he left his school. However, she continues to hope that he will be found.  

"We'll find him, I'm positive we'll find him [...] and it will be a happy," she said. 

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS or go to www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.

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