Details of a possible sighting of missing Autistic teenager Avonte Oquendo emerged on Wednesday after a passenger showed authorities a picture of someone bearing resemblance to him, Fox News reported.
The photograph was taken on Tuesday after a boy riding the E or F subway saw a boy who looked like Oquendo, who has been missing since Oct. 4.
"Hey, are you Avonte?" the boy reportedly asked him. After receiving no response, he took a photo of the boy and notified authorities according to Tony Herbert, president of the Brooklyn East chapter of the National Action Network
The boy in the photo looks like Oquendo -- who cannot verbally communicate -- though his father said he cannot guarantee if that's his son in the picture.
"Yes, it's a close likeness," Daniel Oquendo said. "We need to get a better look to really tell. If we could find the individual who took the picture, that would help big time."
His father also said the family remains hopeful, despite reports last week of the NYPD losing faith in finding his son alive.
"We just need to stay focused and analyze every sighting," he said. "The more sightings, the better. Eventually one will pan out ... We're still hopeful."
Although the missing teen was last seen wearing a gray striped shirt, black jeans, and black sneakers, the boy in the picture was dressed in a beige jacket and green khaki pants.
In addition to appearances on news programs, Oquendo's mother, Vanessa Fontaine, set up a van near the Queens school he was last seen at with a recorded message playing out loud.
"Hi Avonte, it's mom. Come to the flashing lights, Avonte," Fontaine said in the recording. "It's mom, Avonte. Hi Avonte, come to the flashing lights. It's mom."
There is currently a $77,500 reward for his safe return. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call (800) 577-8477.
