Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Family asks for help locating autistic 16-year-old boy who might be in danger
FORT LAUDERDALE — The family of a 16-yearold autistic boy who left home more than a week ago hasn’t heard from him in four days and they’re hoping for the public’s help in locating him, his stepmother said.
Jariek Dorvil left his Fort Lauderdale home May 8, according to Shamika Dorvil. He originally contacted his twin brother and his older brother via social media, but no one has heard from him recently.
“It’s been four days of silence,” Shamika Dorvil said.
Fort Lauderdale police issued a missing person flyer with Jariek’s photo and description.
The family fears for Jariek’s safety.
“He’s autistic, so he and his brother stick to themselves,” she said.
The troubling episode began Saturday night. Dorvil and her husband had to travel to Philadelphia to visit an ill relative. Dorvil said Jariek was at home with his older siblings when they caught him in his bedroom with someone they did not know.
“He looked a little older, maybe 19 or 20,” she said.
What happened next was apparently the ignition point for Jariek’s disappearance.
“His siblings put the person out of the house, so he got upset and packed all his stuff, called his friend’s sister, and she picked him up,” Dorvil said.
When Jariek spoke to one of his brothers after he left home, they asked his location.
“He kind of was like, ‘I don’t know where I’m at,’ ” Dorvil said.
Jariek also reached out to an aunt who lives in Deltona and told her he didn’t want to go back home, Dorvil said. The aunt hasn’t heard from him again.
Jariek was last seen wearing a blue shirt and gray pants.
“He’s not an approachable kid,” Dorvil said, adding he might react poorly if he’s approached by a stranger.
Dorvil, who said Jariek has never left home previously, said Jariek “can talk if he chooses to” but advised it’s best to call police if he’s spotted.
Anyone who sees Jariek can call Detective Walters at 954-828-6424. Otherwise, Fort Lauderdale police said if Jariek is spotted outside Broward County, anyone who sees him can call the local police in that jurisdiction.
“He’s not an approachable kid.” said Shamika Dorvil, Jariek’s stepmother, who added he might react poorly if he’s approached by a stranger