Harbe Nagi, a 7-year-old nonverbal autistic boy and nephew of Hamtramck, Michigan Mayor Adam Alharbi, was reported missing Sunday afternoon after vanishing from a graduation celebration in Menands, a village just north of Albany.
The child was last seen around 4:10 p.m. during the party before authorities believe he wandered off, according to WNYT and the Menands Police Department.
Background
Nagi, who is autistic and nonverbal, does not live in the neighborhood and primarily speaks Arabic, police said. He remains missing as of Monday night. The child is described as 3-foot-7 and roughly 48 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair.
Mayor Alharbi told WNYT that Nagi was with his mother at the party when he walked off and vanished. "The child was trying to escape the house," Alharbi said from an airport in Baltimore on his way to join the search. "He has autism. He's tried to escape the house several times before, but the mom would follow him and get him back into the house."
Alharbi, who is the brother of Nagi's mother, said he booked a flight as soon as he learned his nephew was missing. "I haven't slept yet," he told the outlet.
The family moved to Albany from New York City a few years ago and is originally from Yemen, though Nagi was born in the United States, according to the mayor.
The Investigation
Authorities have stationed ice cream trucks in the area where Nagi was last seen, hoping the nostalgic sound will lure him out. Police said he has a strong interest in water and loves the outdoors, climbing, and music — specifically the song "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star."
Nagi was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt, dark pants, and no shoes.
Police do not believe anyone was involved in the child's disappearance but are investigating all possibilities with assistance from New York State Police, the Albany County Sheriff's Office, and the FBI's Albany Office.
"Anyone who runs into Nagi should call 911 and speak softly, as he may become overwhelmed," police said in a statement.
Key Takeaways
- Harbe Nagi, 7, is nonverbal and autistic; he primarily speaks Arabic
- He vanished from a graduation celebration around 4:10 p.m. Sunday in Menands, NY
- Police do not believe foul play is involved but are investigating all possibilities
- Family is offering a $10,000 reward for his safe return
- Authorities have deployed ice cream trucks hoping music will draw him out
- Multiple agencies including FBI Albany are assisting in the search
What's Next
The search continues Monday night with community members from neighboring towns joining authorities. Police urge residents to monitor private surveillance cameras and easily climbed structures for signs of Nagi.
"I opened my garage, went all around my house, you never know, looked everywhere in my backyard," neighbor Heidi Iyok told the outlet. "And then after that I went out with the search."