Police Hopeful That Missing Autistic Teen Is Safe

Lori Gold November 30, 2012 at 08:50 pm

Well, keep us updated! Have LE Tracked the use of her credit card yet? I assume so...if they've got nothing further, I don't appreciate that they print "She's doing a Hell of job hiding on us". Until it is known that she's "hiding", that bugs me. She could be anywhere and that fact that she's autistic and become confused puts her at greater risk for an offender taking advantage of her. Please, update as soon as you know anything. Thank you!

Karen Bolden November 30, 2012 at 10:52 pm

It is completely inappropriate for anyone, let alone a police officer, to refer to a still missing teen with Autism as hiding. It shows an ignorance about the Autism Spectrum and toward missing teens in general. I hope to God those words do not come back to haunt him. My prayers are with the family and Natalie until she is safely home. I will pray for the officer as well.

Becky H November 30, 2012 at 11:34 pm

How does Mr. Ang know that she is hiding and not in danger somewhere? He's likely embarrassed that he can't find her but please don't assume she is purposefully "hiding" from you when she could be crashed into a ravine somewhere or with some child predator. Keep searching and stop speculating!

Doreen L December 1, 2012 at 12:54 am

Why not just look at what Mr Ang said as a figure of speech and not be so pessimistic with your ideas. I would rather remain hopeful she is hiding somewhere than speculate on the things you are saying as a mother. My prayers go out to her family.

CPH December 1, 2012 at 12:24 pm

@ Doreen - Ang's comment was a quote, and yesterday after this story was posted on FB and the patch I questioned his ignorant statement. Within an hour the FB story and Patch story was taken down. This morning, it had been re-posted. As the mother of a OC Autistic child I find Ang's statement to be a disgrace and a shocking misunderstanding of the mind if the young lady who is missing. If she indeed left with no cash, no phone, and no driving experience, she hardly could have hatched a well thought our plan. Rather than making such cavalier statements, perhaps Mr. Ang should do his job and find her. Also, he should ask someone to give him a quick briefer on Autistic adolescence. I pray that she is found quickly and safely. Doreen, rather then defend a public employee who obviously said something he shouldn't have, even if a figure of speech, understand that in his position, those mistakes are NOT acceptable.

Douglas Bergen (Editor) December 1, 2012 at 01:09 pm

CPH, The quote was taken from a larger context about the investigation leading police to believe that the girl is still controlling her own destiny (which would be good news when you consider alternatives). Nothing Ang said indicates police are being anything less than diligent about investigating all possibilities. I include this comment not because I feel compelled to apologize for authorities, but because I think my reporting/writing may have left the wrong impression.

CPH December 1, 2012 at 03:04 pm

Mr. Bergen,
Thank you for your response. Would this explain why my post yesterday was removed? I'm sure you can understand my feelings as a mother if an Autistic child. Thank you.

Peg Miller December 1, 2012 at 03:08 pm

I continue to pray for Natalie and her family and for those who are diligently trying to find her.

Karen Bolden December 1, 2012 at 03:12 pm

Mr Bergen: The comment speaks for itself no matter what the context. At this point she is still missing and unless the authorities know where she is a speculative comment is inappropriate and borders on a public misconception that could be very dangerous in this situation.

Rosiland Jaussi December 1, 2012 at 03:24 pm

Is there any new updates or leads?????

CPH December 1, 2012 at 03:25 pm

@ Karen - agreed. Mr. Bergen. Please post the entire interview/comment so we can judge for ourselves.

Karen Bolden December 1, 2012 at 03:42 pm

Yes, please, find and give us information on leads or anything that could assist the public in helping. Maybe that information from the authorities would be more helpful. I keep reading the same story. I don't understand how this poor girl is still missing yet nothing seems updated..

Rosiland Jaussi December 1, 2012 at 04:42 pm

Pls just update us!!!! I dont care about the statement!!!! Im worried about Nat!!!!

Jim Woben December 1, 2012 at 10:44 pm

This thread is so out-of-line..Concentrate on the rouge young lady, MORONS!

CPH December 2, 2012 at 12:59 pm

@ Jim - once again, the ignorant verbiage from the public and public employees is disgraceful. One thing that needs to be concentrated on is understanding the child who is missing. Concentrate on the rouge? Puzzling. Hoping more information is forthcoming and she is found safely.

John (Jack) Malone December 2, 2012 at 06:08 pm

As a law enforcement officer for over 25 years and parent of an autistic child of the same age, the comment of the officer is very disturbing and should not have been made period. It lacks the understanding of the police department's thoughout the country regarding this disability and the urgency in locating her. I am sure the officer regrets it now and do not believe he meant to offend parents of autistic children. However it just highlights the lack of training and understanding in interaction with children and adults with autism. There are many issues and understanding of Natalie's prior actions and her disability that need be investigated to find her. Her disability makes her a very high risk missing person.. I pray God who looks out for these angels guides her to safety. And for anyone who would cause her harm they should be familiar with Matthew 18:10 of the bible.

CPH December 2, 2012 at 08:45 pm

@ Jack - thank you for your perspective.

Jim Woben December 3, 2012 at 04:06 am

The officer was simply trying to be cordial during a time of stress. Being in the law enforcement loop, I've heard worse. Needless to say, I understand the officers comments and I don't find them objectionable whatsoever. The officer has my full support, - @CPH, the word was improperly posted as rouge, the word should have been rogue..there are no edits allowed here.- BTW @Douglas Bergen, your reporting is very much accurate and you have no need to explain yourself...Accurate reporting is your job, it's ours to argue about it.. :)

Melody LaPier December 3, 2012 at 04:19 am

Focusing on and bickering about he said she said is taking the focus off of what is important here....a young, autistic girl has been missing for 5 days now.

CPH December 3, 2012 at 05:11 am

Focusing on Natalie is the only thing that matters. This requires the police to understand her. It is quite evident that is what bothers people about the quote from Ang. Rogue? I think depicting a missing Autistic teen as rogue is inappropriate. Rogue would suggest that she is missing voluntarily:
Why isn't this case getting more attention? What is being done to look for her? Perhaps reaching out to National media should be her mothers next step. Praying Natalie is safe, and that she is found and brought home quickly.

David Powell December 3, 2012 at 05:17 am

Melody, you said it. I'm hoping and praying she comes home. I have no idea why she made the decision to leave like she did but she is a very gifted young lady, one of the most brilliant kids I've met. I pray she's OK out there and that she comes home soon. She is missed by a lot of people who want to see her again.

Jim Woben December 3, 2012 at 05:51 am

Rogue is very appropriate, nobody gave her the keys and told her to leave with an automobile, she did that very much on her on accord. Regardless of the argument, like everyone else, finding her is paramount. Some of the ROGUE rhetoric posted here is inappropriate and has nothing to do with her well being or locating her. .

JJ December 3, 2012 at 03:01 pm

She has been found....Internet and action news reporting ....

Jesse James December 3, 2012 at 04:58 pm

I don't care about the words spoken..who said..or what..I care about this young Lady ( yet child-like)..I have delt with Autism. .and the Flairs..I assume an "Amber Alert" Is or has been posted..on T.V and Radio ? With her Pictures And Auto information. .every hour* Go to her friends..Schools..places of interest to her.. (like how much gas was in the car ? How far could it go on this fuel ? All I care about is finding this Young Girl..my prayers sent..and God speed JJ..

Stuart Haskin December 4, 2012 at 12:35 am

It's always important to treat cases involving a person with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or anyone with a developmental disability or mental illness, as a missing persons case. Even if it is suspected that the person voluntarily left the home, there is still a pressing need to locate him or her because people with developmental disabilities are at a higher risk of falling victim to environmental and/or situational dangers; especially since they may not have developed boundaries, so they're at a very high risk for predatory behaviors, such as violent and sexual assault, robbery, etc.
To help in the search for Natalie, or any missing child, your best chance of recovery is to encourage a massive, coordinated response effort by law enforcement, media & volunteers. Other suggestions: -Ask law enforcement to enter your child's information into the National Crime Information Computer (NCIC) at once. -Notify the FBI; their resources are unsurpassed in law enforcement. -Notify all local media assignment desks. Work with the media to raise community & public awareness. Include your child's most recent photo, markings, telltale behaviors, places he/she is familiar with, etc. -Final a local printer willing to donate services for creating flyers, posters and notices. Volunteers can help you post flyers in highly visible areas. -USE SOCIAL MEDIA! It's your child, so YOU take control of the search. The more eyes the better. The 24-hour window of a successful find is a small one.

Stuart Haskin December 4, 2012 at 12:44 am

For those wondering, I'm Stuart and I am the executive director at GET SAFE, which provides personal safety training, as well as advocacy, prevention, intervention and recovery programs, for "at-risk" populations, including persons with developmental disabilities. From reading the comments above it's good to hear that so many people are dedicated to finding Natalie, and can empathize with her family. You can visit our website www.getsafeusa.com for more information on safety education for persons with developmental disabilities, their families and caregivers, as well as law enforcement and other community members. Educating and raising awareness of autism spectrum disorders & other developmental disabilities is the first step in creating safer, more inclusive communities!

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Lori Gold March 12, 2013 at 03:15 pm

**NATALIE IS SAFE!** I cannot find Patch's UPDATE for some reason. (?) http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/index.php/ocean-city-general-news/32367-ocean-city-missing-autistic-teen-found-in-texas-.html