WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Pierce Crowley, the 15-year-old Westchester County boy who went missing last week was reportedly found safe in Washington Heights just after midnight on Thursday, according to police.
The boy’s disappearance set off a tri-state manhunt since he disappeared from a program he attended at a New York-Presbyterian Hospital branch in White Plains.
Police said Crowley was discovered in Manhattan while on the street with a group of teens and an officer recognized him from a missing persons poster, according to the Journal News in Westchester County.
“He was brief in his explanations of what happened,” White Plains Police Lt. Erik Fischer told the Journal, explaining that the detectives had not pushed for more extensive answers on where he had been since he reportedly snuck out of a youth program at the hospital on Friday.
“He was clean and healthy and is now safely home with his family. That was our goal from the beginning.”
Crowley’s story went viral on the Internet as thousands, including reality television star Kourtney Kardashian, participated in Facebook and Twitter campaign to find the Iona Prep freshman.
“Everyone please help #FindPierce,” Kardashian tweeted Wednesday.
Although the family did not immediately make a public statement about their son’s return home, a private investigation firm spoke on their behalf Thursday.
"The Crowley family is extremely relieved that the son they love so much is back home, healthy and safe," the firm told the Journal.
