Nonverbal teen with autism last seen riding bike in Rosedale found safely after urgent search
ROSEDALE, Queens (WABC) -- A nonverbal 18-year-old with autism who had been missing in Queens since Monday has been found following an urgent search.
Police say Chad May was found in Manhattan on Wednesday.
He had been last seen riding a white mountain bike in front of his home in Rosedale, Queens, around 4:50 p.m. Monday
Police say he usually rides his bicycle for about 30 minutes on the sidewalk before returning home.
But when his mother got home Monday night, he was not there -- and she says it is very unusual for Chad not to return home.
He was last seen northbound along the Conduit, which parallels the Belt Parkway.
Before May was found, his family was worried that he was hungry, cold, wet and scared.
"I just hope he's fight or flight and he's seeking shelter right now," his sister Shenelle Williams said. "I'm just worried if he's eaten, if he's continuously riding, his feet are hurting, he's probably hasn't slept -- I'm so scared."
His sister said he is extremely shy and he has never done something like this before.
"He has ridden up the block to the next block up and we couldn't find him for a good 10-15 minutes, but once we got there he was waiting there and was able to navigate his way home," his sister said. "So for him to disappear like this is very abnormal and strange."
His mother had a simple message for her son.
"Chad come home, mom misses you, please come home," his mother Muriel Williams said. "We are looking for you, we love you, we will go to Walmart to get the bike."
Family members said he may not respond if you see him and call out his name and asked that the public call 911 if he is spotted.
Chad was last seen wearing a grey hoodie, black t-shirt, pants and sneakers.
It's not yet clear how May was found.
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