Police search landfill for missing 11-year-old autistic boy from Brooklyn.

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) and New York State Police are conducting an extensive search at the High Acres Landfill in Parinton, approximately 14 miles east of Rochester, New York, as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Jacob Pritchett, an 11-year-old autistic boy from Brooklyn. Law enforcement officials have not disclosed the specifics that led them to this landfill, which serves as a primary disposal site for refuse collected from New York City.

Jacob Pritchett has reportedly been missing since mid-August, raising significant public concern. His mother initially informed authorities that she did not have a child. This prompted the city’s Administration for Child Services (ACS) to launch an investigation following a tip received via a state hotline, expressing worries about the child’s well-being.

ACS attempts to gain access to the family’s residence on Howard Avenue in Brownsville were met with difficulty when investigators first visited on September 25. Following their inability to enter the apartment, they enlisted police support. Upon their subsequent visit, the child’s mother permitted NYPD officers to enter her home but denied being Jacob’s mother. This contradictory behavior has raised additional red flags among investigators.

In a continued effort to locate Jacob, ACS agents returned last week, accompanied by law enforcement, to search both the building and surrounding areas, including nearby dumpsters. The NYPD even deployed K-9 units to assist with the search. After the investigation at her home, the mother was taken to the 73rd Precinct station for questioning before being transported to Brookdale University Hospital for an evaluation.

Furthermore, the NYPD has released a composite sketch of the missing child, explaining that no photographs were available for public release. Local residents reported that they had not seen Jacob for a duration of six to eight weeks. According to neighbor Evelyn Rolon, who noted the boy’s tendency to remain indoors, he often played with a small car while at the window, which raises further concerns regarding his situation. Rolon expressed shock upon learning of Jacob’s age, remarking on how he appeared younger than his chronological age.

The search for Jacob Pritchett continues as community members and law enforcement remain hopeful for a positive outcome. This case highlights the ongoing issue of child welfare and the efforts of various agencies to ensure the safety of vulnerable children in the community.