Photos
Teen Missing from Westfield Found Unharmed
Tuesday, October 16, 2012 • 5:32pm
WESTFIELD, NJ--A 17-year-old boy who fled his Lamberts Mill Academy school bus into the nearby woods this morning has been found in Clark. Lamberts Mill Academy is an educational program designed for students who require a comprehensive psycho-therapeutic approach in an educational setting.
At about 4:20 p.m., the boy was discovered on Victoria Place.
"He was soaking wet," said Westfield Chief of Police David Wayman. "It appears what happened was he jumped out of the van, he ran through the woods to the resevoir in Clark, swam across the resevoir and then hid in the backyards along the resevoir along Victoria Drive. He was taken into custody to receive medical treatment. The concern was for his physical well-being. Subsequently he was transported to the hospital."
The boy was uninjured, according to Wayman. Although authorities were concerned about his exposure to the cold, "His physical state seems good," Wayman added.
"The successful conclusion of this was because of a very well-coordinated cooperation between all agencies--that being law enforcement and the National Guard," Wayman said. "We're glad that the family can be reunited."
The Westfield PD was assisted by Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Union County, and state police agencies, as well as the Union County Office of Emergency Management and a National Guard helicopter.
"We're glad it came to a conclusion before nightfall, because that would have made it harder," Wayman said.
