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Volunteers help police in the search for missing Rochester teen

Provided photo
Provided photo

Hundreds of volunteers were out Saturday helping in the search for  14-year-old Trevyan Rowe.

People from around the Rochester area gathered at the Al Sigl Center on  Elmwood Ave Saturday to assist with the search efforts.

Rowe, who has autism, was last seen Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m., stepping off the school bus. But authorities say he never entered School 12, where he’s a student.

His family says he may have left to look for his missing cell phone.

A joint statement from the Al Sigl Family of Agencies, Autism Up and and Mary Cariola Children’s Center on Saturday afternoon called the community response “remarkable” and said more volunteers were needed through the rest of the afternoon. They expected to close that search between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. The volunteer center is at the Sigl Center, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Door 5

Sarah Milko is the Executive Director of AutismUp. She says they organized more than 200 families to help law enforcement look in the vicinity of the school. She says Rowe having autism adds another layer of vulnerability: “Individuals with autism are very vulnerable in more ways than one. They can fall victim to predators. So many have high levels of anxiety and may not respond to questions about name and location and phone numbers.”

Hundreds of volunteers gather at the Al Sigl Center on Saturday
Credit Spectrum News
Hundreds of volunteers gather at the Al Sigl Center on Saturday

Officers say that information they gained during the investigation suggested that they look for Trevyan in wooded areas. There are several of those near his school located at 999 South Avenue. 

His aunt, Velma Handy, also encouraged people to check their garages, cars, and other outdoor shelter in the off chance Rowe used it for shelter. She says it’s important to know Rowe isn’t a runaway and that he must know he isn't in trouble. 

Velma Handy, pleads with the community to help find Trevyan Rowe
Credit Tianna Manon
Velma Handy, pleads with the community to help find Trevyan Rowe

“We’re here with Trevyan’s mom who says that he probably thinks he’s in big trouble,” said Milko. “We’re telling all of our volunteers as we go out if you find him, let him know, ‘Trevyan you’re not in trouble, your mom is looking for you, we’re here to bring you home but you're not in any trouble at all.’”

Trevyan is 5’ 6” tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a black winter coat with a fur collar, blue jeans and red-and-white sneakers.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.