Authorities Locate Missing 17-Year-Old Boy with Autism in South Jersey

Following a thorough multiagency search that lasted more than a day, authorities discovered a missing 17-year-old autistic teen from Egg Harbor Township early on Sunday, according to FBI Newark.

On Friday, March 20, 2026, Joel Medina vanished from his house while wearing a T-shirt and shorts, according to authorities.

While K-9 teams searched on the ground and drone teams surveyed the area from above, Egg Harbor Township police led the search with assistance from other agencies.

When Joel was still nowhere to be found on Saturday, March 21, Egg Harbor Township police asked the FBI Newark field office's Atlantic City Resident Agency for help.

Drone operators saw Joel curled up against a tree at 11:57 p.m. on Saturday. According to officials, the area was covered in bush, muck, animals, and downed trees. It was only 35 degrees outside.

At 12:29 a.m. on Sunday, agents contacted Joel and started what officials called a laborious journey out of the woods. According to the FBI, he was reunited with his family and is currently recuperating at home.