After more than 24 hours searching the area, police in Montgomery County, Maryland, are asking for community help in finding a six-year-old nonverbal, autistic boy who went missing yesterday.
Fawzan Hassan, was last seen at an Ethiopian community picnic held at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg around 3 p.m. Saturday, according to a news release.
Hassan was last seen wearing blue and white sneakers.
At a news conference on Sunday afternoon, police said they had completed their search of the park and much of the surrounding area, and asked the local community to continue assistance in finding the child.
Among other requests, police asked residents keep an eye out for Hassan in public areas, as well as checking their backyards and other places he may have sought shelter around their properties.
“We’re asking them to search where they live, work and shop, and check those areas that they are familiar with,” police said. “Check the cars in their parking lot, ones that are open, that are unlocked, and take a look inside and see if there’s anyone in there. Because he (Hassan) is also attracted to vehicles.”
Ousman Seid, a leader with the Ethiopian Silt’e community group hosting the picnic, said the group has been helping in the search for the child and are offering their own $10,000 reward.
“This was our event, we think we are responsible and we didn’t have any sleep,” Seid said. “We felt we have to do this, and the money really didn’t matter,” he added.
Because Hassan is nonverbal, authorities recommend that, if you see Hassan, to keep a distance to avoid scaring him away. They ask anyone who sees the boy to contact police immediately and share his location.
Search teams worked overnight Saturday into Sunday searching for Hassan and are using drones with the assistance of Maryland National Capital Police in Montgomery County.
Volunteers from the Mid Atlantic Dogs search teams have also been part of the area sweep.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue is assisting the Montgomery County police in searching local bodies of water and ponds.
Ongoing search for Fawzan Hassan — 500 S. Frederick Ave. IAO Bohrer Park, #MCFRS assisting #MCPD w/ search of water/ponds. @mcfrsPIO #mcpd @TheMoCoShow @ModeratelyMoco @CordellTraffic @HHFireProds @ArmisteadIsaac @mcpnews @mcfrs_P @DCNewsLive @alanhenney @DCNewsNow #mcfrs … pic.twitter.com/wURGfWOEY5
— Tim Pruss, MyDrone. Pro (@MyDronePro) July 28, 2024
People who live in the area are asked to check around their property for signs of Hassan and to review any home surveillance videos.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Hassan is asked to call 911 for assistance. If engaging with Hassan, police advise residents to approach him calmly and slowly, avoid making sudden movements or loud noises and wait for police to arrive.
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