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DNA tests have confirmed that human remains found washed up on the shore of New York City's
East River last week belong to an autistic teen who's been missing since October.
A spokesperson for the city office of the chief medical examiner announced Tuesday the
arm and two legs located next to the water in Queens are a match to 14-year-old Avonte
Oquendo. (Via WNYW)
New York Daily News reports the arm was discovered Jan. 16 by a young girl who took a photo and
showed her mother.
And when authorities were called to the scene soon after, police divers reportedly found
a torso, legs, a skull and teeth. Clothes and a pair of shoes were also recovered near
the body parts. (Via WNBC)
Authorities suspected the remains might have belonged to Oquendo but couldn't make a positive
identification until DNA tests confirmed a match.
The nonverbal autistic teen was last seen walking out of his New York school Oct. 4.
Since he disappeared, hundreds of police officers and volunteers have been searching for him.
(Via WABC)
Oquendo's mother says her son was missing from the school for more than an hour before
she was notified. She says she plans to file a lawsuit against the city for compensation
and to hopefully help make changes to the education department's security systems.