The search for Avonte Oquendo, the missing autistic teen has intensified in New York.
Oquendo has been missing since Friday, October 4, and a total reward of $89,500 has been announced for the safe return of the 14-year old.
In the last two weeks, loud speakers, thermal sensors and several police officials have been involved in the search of Oquendo, who is autistic and non-verbal. The 14-year old was last seen in a surveillance video at his school Riverview School in Long Island City, Queens, running through the halls and then exiting the building.
"It's like a recurring nightmare," said Daniel Oquendo, father of the missing 14-year old. "With him not being able to talk, he's not able to tell someone: 'Hey, I'm lost,' or 'I need to go here' or 'My parents are looking for me'."
Over 100 police officers and 600 volunteers have been involved in the search of the boy.
"We have fliers here in all sorts of languages -- Korean, Creole, Russian, Italian, Bengali, Chinese, Spanish, English -- just so the word get out there," said Marisa Dejesus, who has been handing out fliers since Avonte went missing.
Those on the look out for the boy have kept a close eye on the subway as Avonte's family revealed he loves the trains.
Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network has also donated $5,000 to the cause, which now takes the reward to $89,500.
"This young man is somewhere and somebody knows something," said Sharpton, encouraging the search to keep going and blaming the school as being "negligent."
The reward money, per Oquendo's attorney, could hasten Avonte's return process.
"Money may be an impetus for someone to either do something or maybe if they are involved in something sinister to get their reward and let the boy go," said lawyer David Perecman. "We don't know, but listen, money greases wheels. If it changes something for Avonte and it brings him home, great."
Vanessa Fontaine, the boy's mother, urges anyone who finds her missing son to "hold on to him" and call (800) 577-TIPS, which is the NYPD hotline.
