Authorities in Upstate New York are urgently searching for a 7-year-old nonverbal autistic boy, Harbe Nagi, who disappeared from a party on Sunday afternoon. Nagi, who is the nephew of Hamtramck, Michigan, Mayor Adam Alharbi, was last seen at a graduation celebration in Menands, a village just north of Albany, around 4:10 p.m. on Sunday. He is believed to have wandered off, according to reports from WNYT and the Menands Police Department.
Nagi, who primarily speaks Arabic and does not reside in the area, is still missing as of Monday night, police noted. Mayor Alharbi has traveled to New York to support his family and has requested the public’s thoughts for his missing nephew, as stated by Clickondetroit and WNYT.
The child is described as approximately 3-foot-7 and weighing about 48 pounds. Known for his tendency to wander and explore, Nagi has a particular interest in water, according to the police department’s statement.
Nagi has a love for the outdoors, climbing, and music, with a special fondness for the song “Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star,” police reported. To assist in the search, authorities have deployed ice cream trucks in the vicinity, hoping their familiar jingle might draw him out.
Mayor Alharbi, who is Nagi’s mother’s brother, informed WNYT that the family is offering a $10,000 reward for the boy’s safe return.
Alharbi shared that Nagi had been attempting to leave the house, a behavior he has exhibited before due to his autism, but his mother would usually manage to bring him back. Nagi was attending the party with his mother when he wandered off and disappeared.
“As soon as I found out, I booked a flight. I haven’t slept yet. I’m in Baltimore waiting on the next flight to Albany,” the mayor stated.
The family, originally from Yemen, relocated to Albany from New York City a few years ago, and Nagi was born in the US, according to his uncle.
Community members from Menands and neighboring areas have gathered to assist in the intensive search for Nagi. A neighbor, Heidi Iyok, shared her proactive engagement in the search efforts, saying, “I opened my garage, went all around my house, you never know, looked everywhere in my backyard. And then after that I went out with the search.”
Nagi was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt, dark pants, and no shoes. He has brown eyes and brown hair, according to police.
The public is advised not to be alarmed by the significant police presence in the area and is encouraged to check their private surveillance footage and any easily climbed structures for signs of the boy.
Authorities do not currently suspect foul play but are exploring all possibilities with the help of the New York State Police, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI’s Albany Office.
Anyone who encounters Nagi is urged to call 911 and to speak softly, as he may become easily overwhelmed.
