Police in upstate New York are urgently searching for a missing 7-year-old boy with autism who disappeared during a family gathering near Albany.
The child, identified by authorities as Harbe Nagi, was last seen Sunday afternoon in the village of Menands, New York. He reportedly vanished from the area of Park Drive while visiting with his mother during a family graduation party.
Authorities said Harbe is nonspeaking, may need medical attention, and does not live in the neighborhood where he disappeared. Police believe he may have wandered off, but officials have stressed that all possibilities remain under investigation.
Harbe was last seen around 4:20 p.m. on Sunday, June 28. He was wearing a light-colored T-shirt, dark pants, and no shoes. Officials said he is about 3 feet 7 inches tall, weighs around 48 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes.
The search has drawn a major response from local, county, state, and federal agencies. Menands police, New York State Police, Albany County authorities, forest rangers, search teams, drones, helicopters, K-9 units, and the FBI have all been involved in efforts to find the child.
Search crews have focused on wooded areas, backyards, sheds, garages, pools, ponds, ravines, and nearby water sources. Officials said Harbe is known to enjoy the outdoors, climbing, music, and water, making nearby wooded and water areas especially important in the search.
One unusual search tactic involved using an ice cream truck to play music in hopes of attracting Harbe. Police said he likes the song “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” and some volunteers reportedly played the tune on phones and car radios while searching nearby streets.
The boy’s family is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to his safe return. His uncle, Adam Alharbi, the mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, traveled to New York after learning that his nephew was missing.
Alharbi said Harbe had wandered away before, but his mother had usually been able to follow him and bring him back quickly. This time, the family was visiting another home, and the child was able to leave without being immediately found.
The disappearance has shaken the quiet Menands community. Neighbors have joined the search, checked their own properties, opened garages, reviewed backyards, and looked through areas where a small child might hide or become trapped.
Authorities have asked residents near Park Drive and surrounding neighborhoods to check security cameras, Ring doorbell footage, sheds, garages, pools, and any easily accessible structures. Officials also urged people to search their own property carefully but avoid interfering with professional search teams in wooded areas.
Police said there is currently no indication of foul play. However, investigators are continuing to examine all leads and possibilities because of the child’s age, medical needs, and vulnerability.
Officials have also asked the public not to spread rumors or unconfirmed information online. In missing-child cases, misinformation can slow search efforts, confuse volunteers, and distract investigators from credible leads.
Because Harbe is nonspeaking and may become overwhelmed, police said anyone who sees him should call 911 immediately and speak softly. Officials warned people not to chase or shout at him, as that could frighten him and cause him to run or hide.
The search has become more urgent with each passing hour. Authorities said Harbe may not have had food, water, or shoes since he disappeared, raising concern for his safety.
The case also highlights the dangers of wandering, sometimes called elopement, among children with autism. Some children may be drawn to water, roads, woods, or familiar sounds, and they may not respond when called by name. That can make search efforts more difficult and time-sensitive.
Law enforcement officials and autism safety advocates often urge families and communities to act quickly when a nonspeaking child goes missing. Checking nearby water first, searching hiding places, reviewing surveillance footage, and calmly approaching the child can all be critical.
In Menands, the community response has been intense. Residents, volunteers, police, and family members have continued searching through the night and into the following day, hoping for a safe outcome.
For Harbe’s family, every hour without answers is painful. His uncle said the family is grateful for everyone helping and remains focused on one goal: bringing the child home safely.
As the search continues, police are asking anyone with information to contact emergency services immediately. Even a small detail from a camera, backyard, trail, road, or nearby property could help investigators locate him.
The search for Harbe Nagi remains active, and authorities are urging the public to stay alert, follow official instructions, and report any possible sighting right away.
