A news helicopter crew found the 9-year-old boy from Brooklyn, who had initially gone missing after skipping school, safe on a rooftop.
In a dramatic surveillance effort, the child was spotted playing on the building’s rooftop instead of attending school, quickly involving police for a safe return, AP News reported.
Early on a Thursday morning, the boy, a resident of New York City’s Brooklyn borough, left his home around 7 a.m. and ventured to the rooftop of his building, unbeknownst to his parents. The Success Academy, a charter school known for its distinctive orange-tie uniform, noted his absence when he failed to show up on August 12, the first day of the academic year.
Upon discovering the missing status of their son, the distraught parents immediately reached out to the police. The authorities quickly responded, circulating the boy's description prominently noting his distinct orange tie. This description would soon prove crucial in the boy’s discovery.
CBS News New York's helicopter, piloted by Eric Ross and reported by Dan Rice, was deployed over Brooklyn to aid in searching for the missing child. From their vantage point high above the city, the crew made a surprising discovery. "As my pilot, Eric Ross, and I were circling the building, we came across a person sitting in a chair over here on the rooftop,” said Rice, recounting the moment they spotted the boy. Using the helicopter’s zoom camera, they were able to confirm that the child matched the police description of the missing student.
When they found the boy, he engaged with an iPad, and his book bag lay beside him, suggesting he was possibly playing or studying. Interestingly, a neighbor had earlier seen the child on the rooftop engaged in similar activities but did not make a report, assuming the situation was harmless.
After verifying the boy's identity from their aerial position, the news crew promptly contacted the police. Officers dispatched to the location confirmed the boy's safety before escorting him off the rooftop. "He just packs up his computer and his book bag and goes off with the police officers. They looked back at our helicopter, gave us a big thumbs up, and took the child down to his parents,” Rice added, describing the closure of the ordeal.
The boy’s parents, relieved at the sight of their son, were full of gratitude towards the police and the news team for their diligence and swift response. The event not only brought relief but also highlighted the importance of community vigilance and the effectiveness of coordinated efforts in urban safety and child welfare.
The incident served as an important lesson for parents, educators, and authorities on the potential of misadventures that can lead to serious concerns in urban settings. It also showcased the critical role that media can play in community safety, beyond traditional reporting.
In the end, the boy returned home safely, without harm, resolving a potentially distressful situation for the family and the community at large. While the day started with a disturbing alert of a missing child, quick and coordinated actions turned it around, showcasing a successful synergy between the media’s eye in the sky and on-the-ground police work.
