GARDNER — Gardner Police Department responded to a report of a missing 14-year-old autistic child on Friday, Sept. 6, after he was not found at the bus stop for school pickup at 7:17 a.m.
Officers immediately searched the child’s home and surrounding areas without success.
Subsequently, a command post was established with the help of the Gardner Fire Department.
The Gardner Department of Public Works assisted by closing streets to aid the search.
Multiple agencies were alerted, including a CJIS broadcast and social media posts to neighboring towns with the child’s description.
The police deployed their K-9 unit, drone team, and detectives.
Support also came from the Central Mass Law Enforcement Council’s K-9 and drone teams, the Erving Police Department’s bloodhound, and the Massachusetts State Police, which provided officers from the Special Emergency Response Team and the State Police Detective Unit.
Local institutions such as Mount Wachusett Community College Police and Heywood Hospital security were notified and on alert.
The child was safely located at 9:14 a.m. at a school in Sudbury following a miscommunication with the bus company.
The Gardner Police expressed gratitude to all participating agencies and the community for their rapid response and cooperation that led to the child’s safe return.
Lieutenant John Czasnowski, Community Policing Supervisor, extended the department’s thanks to everyone involved for their swift coordination and efforts.
