Authorities continue the search for a missing child in Menands.
A missing child alert was issued Sunday night by the state’s criminal justice services. They say 7-year-old Harbe Nagi has autism, is nonverbal and may need medical attention. He was last seen around 4:30 Sunday afternoon wearing a light color shirt, dark pants and no shoes.
Nagi is believed to have wandered off; he was last seen in the area of Park Drive approximately 10 minutes before 911 was called Sunday. Police said Monday that he doesn’t reside in Menands, as his family moved to the Guilderland area earlier this year. The primary language spoken in Nagi’s home is Arabic; police say he has a strong interest in water, the outdoors and climbing.
If you see Nagi, police ask that you speak softly so as not to overwhelm him.
DEC Forest Ranger Charles Kabrehl said Monday that multiple agencies are searching “a very wide area,” and that the best thing the public can do to help is check their own yards, ponds or nearby bodies of water. He also noted that “trained professionals and volunteers” are searching nearby wooded areas, so the public should steer clear of going too deep into them.
“It really can impede,” he said. “We’re not just looking for Harbe; we’re looking for signs or evidence. Tracks or things that are not relevant to the search really can impede the progress.”
Both the Menands Fire Department and the New York State Police say they are using a number of resources in the search, including drones, K9 teams and underwater recovery teams.
If you see Nagi, you’re asked to call 911 or the Albany County Sheriff’s office at (518) 765-5979.