Autistic Teen Missing for 3 Years Found 700 Miles From Home

A young man found outside on a frigid night near the resort town of Park City, Utah, was discovered to be the teenager who had been reported missing from California three years ago, authorities said. Police found him at a gas station after someone reported seeing the man sleeping there. He seemed to be a match for Connerjack Oswalt, an autistic teenager who vanished from his home in Clearlake, California, in 2019 when he was 16. His family was contacted and his step-father confirmed it was him.

[-Clueless-]

The kid is not dumb, he survived on his own for three years. He left for a reason. We just need to find out why.

[eyerncakehere]

As a person with Autism, this seems very off. For instance, his parents do not seem very excited that they found him. This seems very suspicious to me and I'm really worried for this guy.

[TaylorJohnson]

I'm glad to see that everyone is questioning what's going on.

[jamestkirkcameron]

He's a legal adult. He doesn't have to go back to his family if he doesn't want to. Great job cops.

[Sanderhhan]

I know it’s a miracle that he is still alive. The cops did a really good job. They were friendly. I appreciate that the cops were so good.

[KM-izsg]

Maybe it’s me, but the stepfather didn’t seem all that thrilled that this young man was found alive. God please continue to cover and bless this young man and keep him safe.

[DustyTheDog]

As an adult with Autism, I left my family because I was being picked on and blamed for being born the way I am. I mean, I still get it where I am, but I don't live with the people who make fun of me. We aren't dumb, just vastly misunderstood.

[thewaterleaf]

after watching the whole way through I agree with everyone's sentiment, the parents didn't seem all that happy and the son's reluctance to cooperate definetly says something as to the possible reason he disappeared in the first place, all the luck to this guy, lord knows he needs it

[joshbrown]

I lost a friend who did something just like this, he went out in the middle of winter and didn’t make it. So thankful they found Connerjack safe

[texastootin]

This guy knew exactly what he was doing and he left for a reason. Stop saying "hes autistic" like it means hes completely incapable of any rational thought. He told cops several times before that he didnt want to go back. I hope something more comes out of this

[bettyveritas]

He survived 3 years on his own. Kids do not run away for nothing. And the way she said, 'my sweetheart' made me crawl. Not loving not honest. Hope the guy gets away and gets help. Bless him.

[limerencelail]

as an autistic teen, it’s odd people think we’re incapable or our own thoughts. i believe there’s something odd going on though.. he obviously seemed to have leave for a reason. i just don’t know what to think. hope that young man is doing okay.

[crossfire]

It's a miracle that he survived during the lockdown.

[bigonion]

Makes me wonder what he’s been doing this whole time, because it’s a miracle he’s alive honestly. These missing person cases don’t usually end well, especially after 3 years! He is a blessing

[abbygoop]

The cops should take a closer look at this case, something is clearly wrong here . The mom looks like she's force crying and the dad doesn't seem ecstatic .That boy ran away for a reason .

[steelwitness]

that was most certainly an abusive home. Her on camera reaction seems off and the fact that he made it that far for that long, didnt want to give police any important info, and you dont see him reunite with his parents once. Hes an adult now and doesnt have to go back and he doesnt want to. That speaks volumes. If he had a good relationship with his parents id almost guarantee there wouldve been huge reunion on camera

[chaosensei]

Interesting how they don’t show the kid’s side of things and only the parents. I’d very much like to know their son’s thoughts about being returned to the parents. They’re leaving a ton out, like explaining why and how they lost him in the first place. Did he get kidnapped, coerced, or even wanted to run away because they treated him poorly? The parents also didn’t sound all that happy about him being returned either judging by their speech patterns and initial reaction. Until I’m proven wrong, I believe there’s more going on than they’re letting on.

[bettywatson]

Here's a question, how and why did he go missing? The parents seem weird/off to me. The dad doesn't exactly display the behavior of someone glad to see their missing child, and the mother's seems a little forced... My guess is the boy ran away from a bad situation, most likely neglect or misunderstanding of the issues regarding his diagnosis.

[wednesdayjill]

Getting sick of y’all calling him autistic as if he’s some baby with no ability of judgement or rational thought. He left for a reason and managed to survive on his own. He didn’t want to go back. I hope he is safe

[charmcharm]

I don't trust the mother or stepfather.