Only a mother knows the panic of losing sight of their child — and what it feels like to hold them again, knowing they’re safe.
For Farjana Akond, this terrifying experience became a reality when her 7-year-old son, Ruwaid, who has autism, went missing for almost three hours. The nightmare started when she went to the bathroom while at a restaurant in Jackson Heights, New York, and when she returned, her son was gone.
“I was thinking there would be a call for me that my son — he met an accident or something like all the horrible stuff — was coming in my mind,” said his mother, Farjana Akond. Her voice shook as she recalled the feeling of helplessness she endured during those long, agonizing hours.
The call Akond eventually received was the best possible one she could have ever imagined. It was the news that her son had been found and was safe, thanks to the heroic actions of a total stranger.
Only Eyewitness News’ cameras were rolling when Akond was reunited with her son in the back of an ambulance on the Upper East Side. Her tears of relief spoke volumes, as this moment of joy came after an unimaginable amount of stress.
“I realized he was kind of walking by himself and it was a little weird. So I followed him for a block and then it really hit me. His parents weren’t there,” said Christina Casey, the good Samaritan who noticed Ruwaid walking alone on the street. She had no idea where the young boy had come from, but something about the situation didn’t seem right.
Casey, who was walking near East 61st Street and Lexington Avenue, couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “I can’t believe no one else noticed and stopped and realized he was by himself since he came all the way from Queens, I’m hearing. That’s a little shocking,” she remarked. Her quick thinking and compassion were key in ensuring that Ruwaid would be safely returned to his family.
Ruwaid’s adventure had begun earlier that day, in Jackson Heights, when he unexpectedly dashed out of Dera Restaurant, where his mother had been enjoying breakfast with friends. In an instant, the 7-year-old boy with autism disappeared into the busy streets of New York City, miles away from where he would be found. His mother, distracted for a brief moment, came back to find him missing, setting off a frantic search.
The NYPD immediately sprang into action, deploying helicopters and posting missing photos of Ruwaid all over the city. Every officer in Queens, one of the five boroughs of New York, began looking for the 7-year-old boy, trying to locate him in a city of more than 8 million people.
There was only one person who was observant enough to recognize the young boy and make the call that would ultimately lead to his safe return. It was this single act of kindness from Christina Casey that made all the difference in the world.
“She’s our savior. She’s an angel to me now,” said Akond, speaking with overwhelming gratitude for the stranger who had helped reunite her with her son. She never could have imagined how far her son had traveled, or how one person’s awareness could change everything.
Akond said her son, who has a remarkable photographic memory, loves maps and has always been fascinated by the idea of traveling. Police believe he managed to make the journey from Jackson Heights in Queens to Manhattan, possibly taking the subway all by himself. It was a feat that most 7-year-olds would never even attempt, but for Ruwaid, it was just another example of his adventurous spirit.
After his harrowing journey, the officers who found him made sure to comfort him during the wait for his mother. “We offered him pizza, got him water, to make him feel like we were there for him and he’s not in harm’s way,” said NYPD officer Anthony Lewis, adding that their main goal was to help the young boy feel safe.
Ruwaid’s story ended on a hopeful note, as he was reunited with his mother, who had feared the worst. The family, visiting from Texas, was overwhelmed with emotion when they finally got the good news. Now that Ruwaid has returned safely, he can continue his love of sightseeing, but this time with his mother by his side, ensuring his safety at all times.
“I have never imagined that this could happen with us, but thanks to everyone who helped us this far to get my son to me,” Akond said, her voice filled with deep gratitude. Thanks to the kindness of strangers, the quick action of the NYPD, and her son’s ability to navigate the city, the family’s terrifying ordeal ended in the most positive way possible.
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