Teen With Asperger's Syndrome Located After Walking 14 Miles
SWEETWATER (CBSMiami) – A happy ending to a Memorial Day gathering after a teenage boy with Asperger's Syndrome wandered away.
William Peachey, 13, was found 14 miles from where he was with his family taking part in Memorial Day activities with his family at Larry and Penny Thompson Park in Southwest Miami-Dade County.
Around 4:30 p.m. Monday, family members reported him missing and told police about the teen's condition fearing he had wandered away and was lost.
For several hours, Miami-Dade Police searched for the teenager, but could not locate him giving up on the search for the night when visibility was no longer adequate.
Around 11:00 p.m., Sweetwater Police Lieutenant Marcos Villanova saw a young boy walking on Southwest 137 Avenue near the intersection of 48th Street.
Lt. Villanova said the teen seemed disoriented and stopped to help him learning he was missing since earlier in the afternoon.
Due to the medical condition Peachey has, police said the teen was unaware he had walked 14 miles from the park.
The teen was reunited with his family.
Chief Jesse Menocal said in a press release, "We are proud anytime that any one of our Officers goes above and beyond his normal responsibilities to make a difference". "It was Lt. Villanueva's situational awareness that contributed to William's safe recovery and familial reunification."
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