A Brooklyn boy – who had been missing from his East New York foster home since July 4 – was found safe and sound, police said today.
Shawn Martinez, 12, was on a bus home this morning from Florida, according to NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.
“Yes, he’s back. It appears that he may have gone down to visit his mother in Florida,” Kelly said.
“He was found on a bus coming north from Florida to New York. He was found in Fayetteville, NC. Child services is North Carolina are going to have him return to New York.”
The boy had gone to the store for milk, a week ago tomorrow, and didn’t return.
Heartbroken foster mom Penny Cardoza has been scouring the neighborhood near her Wortman Avenue home, posting pictures on trees and signposts in a desperate search for the 12-year-old.
Cardoza and cops said it is out of character for the child to run away.
“He’s never done this before,” Cardoza said. “He didn’t seem upset or anything when he left the house.”
The 5-foot-5, 115-pound boy had last been seen wearing blue jeans, a black T-shirt with the words “Call of Duty” written on it. He had been wearing red and blue Adidas sneakers.
Cardoza said Martinez has been in her care for five years and they shared a natural bond.
“This is my son,” Cardoza said. “This is my baby. He’s everything to me.”