A 15-year-old boy from East Hampton was safely reunited with his family on Monday, almost five days after he had been reported missing.
According to the East Hampton Town Police Department, John Gray was spotted by Metropolitan Transportation Authority police that afternoon at Penn Station. He had reportedly been seen there on Jan. 17 as well, the day he left home and headed west on a Long Island Rail Road train, in the company of two boys and a girl who all appeared "to be kids his age," a town police spokesman said on Monday morning.
Police agencies from multiple jurisdictions launched a widespread search for the teen, who has autism. Detective Sgt. Ryan Hogan said Monday that they were using "every single tool that we have at our disposal."
He "is safe and in good condition," town police announced at about 7:15 p.m. Monday, after he was back home. "The circumstances surrounding John's Gray's departure from East Hampton do not appear to be suspicious. At this time, it appears that this was a runaway situation."
The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information has been asked to call police at 631-537-7575. All calls will be kept confidential.