MIDDLE VILLAGE — The mother of a diabetic high school senior who went missing Thursday remained hopeful as his classmates and other supporters banded together Monday to continue their search for him.
The missing 18-year-old, Aidan Norvez, who was debating whether to attend John Jay College or enter the seminary, had been reveling in Central Park with a friend after completing an AP economics exam when he hopped on a Q train about 4 p.m., according to his mom and the NYPD.
The Brooklyn Tech senior, who was wearing a black sweatshirt and blue jeans at the time, somehow managed to make his way to the West 4th Street station, but that was the last anyone saw of him, said his mother, Tara Norvez, 43.
"He's never done anything like this before," the older Norvez said.
"I can't cry all day. What else am I supposed to do? I'm holding out hope this is our big flake moment and this is his way of being stupid. I hope he's on the A train, meeting the girl of his dreams and he brings her home to me," the optimistic mom added.
Aidan, a Dr. Who fan and devout Catholic, suffers from type 1 diabetes and requires regular insulin doses, but left his injections, medical bracelet and cellphone at home, his mother said.
Almost immediately after Aidan was reported missing, posters spread across social media hoping to track him down. Friends used Facebook groups and events to organize search parties. Users flooded a Reddit page devoted to Aidan's disappearance with theories.
The teen's mom didn't know for certain why Aidan, the eldest of seven siblings had gone missing, but speculated that it may have something to do with the end of his high school career.
"He was anxious about graduating. He hates change. He was just anxious about making the right decision," Norvez said.
But apart from his nerves, Norvez said her son was gentle and kind.
"He's a quiet kid. He doesn't swear. He's just goofy. And he's very religious. He loves God," Aidan's mom said.
She fondly recalled when a classmate told her how he would regularly feed a homeless man outside Brooklyn Tech and how he would celebrate other religions' holidays.
"Aidan loves all religions. Two years ago, he fasted for Ramadan. This Passover, he went Kosher," she said.
On Monday, classmates again prepared to meet at various points throughout Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn to search for the teen while the school itself did what it could to spread the word.
"The school has been terrific. That means a lot to me as a mother. A lot of kids have called me," Norvez said.
She said that while the search for Aidan continues, his siblings buoy her hopes.
"I have six other kids and that's what you focus on," Norvez said.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).
