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Police Find Boy Missing From Bronx School

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A 12-year old boy with Asperger's syndrome who was reported missing from school in the Bronx has been found safe, police said.

The boy was escorted back to PS 188 by authorities after being picked up in a truant sweep, CBS 2's John Slattery reported.

"He was found by a Manhattan task force in Times Square," NYPD Captain Steven Ortiz said,"I don't know why he left."

About an hour after being returned the boy emerged from the school with his mother who did not speak about the incident.

Police had dispatched considerable resources to find the boy.

"Aviation, canine, task force, description out city-wide. And we are very fortunate," Captain Ortiz said.

People in the boy's Morrisania neighborhood wondered how this happened.

"I think it's very odd because this is like the third child to walk out," neighbor Nicole Green said.

Last week a 19-year-old autistic teenager from Marlboro, New Jersey was reunited with his family after being found safely in Cleveland, Ohio.

Avonte Oquendo, 14, also autistic and unable to speak ran out of his Long Island City school in October. His whereabouts remain a mystery.

The incidents have prompted the Schools Chancellor to order a review of all emergency procedures and to enhance existing safety rules. The most recent incident remains under investigation.

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