Missing Brooklyn teenager with autism, last seen in November, may be located in Philadelphia, according to authorities.
An autistic teenager from Brooklyn, New York, has been missing for nearly three months, with authorities suggesting he may have traveled to Philadelphia. Police officials have identified the missing individual as Jean Pierre, a resident of East Flatbush who reportedly has a significant interest in Philadelphia and its sports teams, such as the Eagles and the 76ers. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny remarked on Pierre’s expressed desire to attend Temple University, which is located in the city.
Despite these connections to Philadelphia, law enforcement has struggled to locate Pierre, facing numerous conflicting reports regarding his whereabouts. As of now, the NYPD has not been able to confirm sighting him in the area. The department has actively circulated Pierre’s image in hopes that someone might provide information that leads to his discovery. A recent appeal included a photo of the teen, which was disseminated in the hopes of reigniting public awareness about his case.
Jean Pierre was last seen at his home on November 16, 2022. He was not reported missing until a month later when school officials raised alarms about his unexplained absence from classes. During investigations into his disappearance, the NYPD’s Missing Person’s Squad discovered potential evidence on social media indicating he may have traveled the approximately 98 miles to Philadelphia. Reports noted a vehicle with Pennsylvania plates in the background of one of his posts, and there were local rumors suggesting he could have been driven to the city.
The last confirmed sighting of Pierre occurred in the lobby of his building, where he was seen wearing a backpack. His mother has expressed her belief that he is in Philadelphia and mentioned that he seems to be well, though she reiterated her uncertainty regarding his location and the reasons for his trip, especially since the family has no known ties to the city. Efforts by local media to connect with Pierre’s family for further insights have resulted in unsuccessful attempts.
The NYPD is currently collaborating with both the Philadelphia police and Pennsylvania state authorities to ascertain Pierre’s whereabouts. Despite his absence from social media and the lack of activity on his cash apps, officials do not suspect foul play. Pierre is described as standing 6 feet tall, weighing approximately 115 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. At the time of his disappearance, he was dressed in a black hoodie, black track pants, and blue-and-white sneakers. Prior to this incident, Pierre had been reported missing at the age of 11 when he became separated from his mother, but he was later found in the Bronx.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have information on Jean Pierre’s location to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, where confidentiality is assured. The ongoing search emphasizes the importance of community involvement in addressing such urgent and sensitive cases.
