Missing teen with autism found safe

<p>Police say they found a missing Franklin Square teen with autism wearing green pajamas a T-shirt and no shoes just hours before the latest winter storm was expected to hit Long Island.</p>

News 12 Staff

Mar 20, 2018, 10:10 AM

Updated 2,219 days ago

Share:

Police say they found a missing Franklin Square teen with autism wearing green pajamas, a T-shirt and no shoes just hours before the latest winter storm was expected to hit Long Island.
Joseph Barbella, 18, was reported missing from his home on Commonwealth Street around 3 a.m. Tuesday, police say, about 15 minutes after his father had last seen him.
Hundreds of officers helped in the nearly 12-hour search, including K-9 and aviation units and mounted police. Nassau Police Detective Michael Bitsko says even police recruits helped in the search.
One fire official even drove the streets blasting the theme song to one of Barbella's favorite TV shows -- "The Honeymooners."
But it was a local man who says he found Barbella hidden and shivering his backyard on Rintin Street.
"I saw the bushes shaking, and I saw him behind the bushes," that man told reporters, identifying himself only as Michael. "I'm just glad he's OK, just happy that we found him before the snowstorm."
Authorities say he seemed to be in good health when they found him, but they took him to a hospital for evaluation. 
Barbella had also gone missing in February before turning up in Malverne and another time last year. He was wearing a tracking device that authorities say they are examining.
The teen is at Winthrop Hospital in good condition. 


More from News 12
1:32
Police swarms Elmsford neighborhood, details remain scarce

Police swarms Elmsford neighborhood, details remain scarce

2:17
Amazing weather today, light rain tomorrow afternoon through Thursday

Amazing weather today, light rain tomorrow afternoon through Thursday

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:54
Mandatory seat belt law proposal for charter buses spurred after fatal Orange County crash

Mandatory seat belt law proposal for charter buses spurred after fatal Orange County crash

0:41
Rockland Community College library and student union closed indefinitely due to water damage

Rockland Community College library and student union closed indefinitely due to water damage

0:23
Vandalism at New Hampton park prompts search for culprit

Vandalism at New Hampton park prompts search for culprit

1:00
Headlines: Officer charged in illegal eavesdropping, drug dealer arrested again, missing woman

Headlines: Officer charged in illegal eavesdropping, drug dealer arrested again, missing woman

0:25
Port Chester man arrested after burglary leads to standoff in Elmsford

Port Chester man arrested after burglary leads to standoff in Elmsford

0:26
MTA introduces electric-powered vans to Access-A-Ride fleet

MTA introduces electric-powered vans to Access-A-Ride fleet

Orange County DA: 2 men arrested in Walmart knife fight that injured a police officer

Orange County DA: 2 men arrested in Walmart knife fight that injured a police officer

0:24
Hyde Park School District honored nationally for music education excellence

Hyde Park School District honored nationally for music education excellence

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

2:54
Prison conversations shed light on Robert Durst's mental state, depths he went to evade justice

Prison conversations shed light on Robert Durst's mental state, depths he went to evade justice

1:55
Gov. Hochul, state lawmakers reach 'conceptual' agreement on state budget

Gov. Hochul, state lawmakers reach 'conceptual' agreement on state budget

0:35
Police: 41-year-old man recovering from stabbing at New Rochelle sports lounge

Police: 41-year-old man recovering from stabbing at New Rochelle sports lounge

New DMV comes to downtown Port Jervis

New DMV comes to downtown Port Jervis

2:12
Rockland pressures Evergreen Court to clean up 2021 fire site

Rockland pressures Evergreen Court to clean up 2021 fire site

1:54
What happens to the clothes you donate? Greenburgh town supervisor explains

What happens to the clothes you donate? Greenburgh town supervisor explains

1:59
Fire engulfs 3 cars at Port Chester's The Waterfront shopping complex

Fire engulfs 3 cars at Port Chester's The Waterfront shopping complex

1:42
South Blooming Grove issued DOH violations amid water crisis and construction boom

South Blooming Grove issued DOH violations amid water crisis and construction boom