Child with autism rescued from Passaic River after escaping from NJ home

Child with autism rescued from Passaic River after escaping from NJ home By Lucy Yang Wednesday, November 11, 2026 4:18AM Lucy Yang has more on the dramatic rescue in Totowa, New Jersey. WABC TOTOWA, New Jersey (WABC) -- A 6-year-old nonverbal boy with autism was rescued from the Passaic River after a frantic search by police, firefighters and community members in Totowa, New Jersey, according to authorities. Last Thursday night, Totowa police received emergency calls about a barefoot child knocking on doors and then fleeing. Responding crews found the boy's parents desperately searching for their runaway son. The child, identified as Jacob, had reportedly escaped through a window. Patrolman Fina Matranga of the Totowa Police Department said the search quickly became personal for responders. "You know, we are also parents, so we tend to see things a little bit more personal," Matranga said. "We are a very tight knit community as well, so it was definitely very emotional." Neighbor Latoya Carswell described the scene as residents joined the search. "Some people were screaming his name. 'Jacob. Jacob.' And some people were just, like, on foot power walking and some are running," Carswell said. As the search expanded, responders became increasingly concerned that the child might be drawn to water. Teams raced to the Passaic River and called in additional resources. "We quickly widened our, our resources and called the fire department for extra lighting and more manpower, along with other agencies around town and the sheriff's department," Matranga said. Authorities found the boy before he was swept away by the river's current. Eyewitness News was told Jacob was down a dark embankment, half in the freezing river and clinging to a tree. Because of the steep drop, rescue crews formed a human chain to bring the shivering child to safety. Matranga said the child was soaked and covered in mud when rescuers reached him. "Completely drenched from head to toe, full of mud. What appeared to be vomit on his chest. I sat with him and I was able to comfort him and clean them up a little bit. I have some sensory toys in my duty bag for these cases, and I was able to give him some toys," she said. Another responder familiar with the child said the team quickly recognized him. "We helped him once before. So, I kind of knew what he looked like and the height and everything like that. So instantly I just jumped into mommy mode like, no, we're about to help them," Carswell said. According to Eyewitness News, this was not the first time Jacob had run away. He reportedly did the same last month. Officials believe he may have been drawn to nearby Christmas lights as well as the water. Police said the child's parents are installing tighter locks on their windows. ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New Jersey news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Download our connected TV app Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. Child with autism rescued from Passaic River after escaping from NJ home 42 minutes ago Passenger arrested after claiming to have bomb on Newark-to-New Orleans flight Stanley Zabar, co-owner of iconic Upper West Side grocery store, dies at 94 Report a correction or typo Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved. Related Topics NEW JERSEY PASSAIC COUNTY RESCUE AUTISM Watch Live ON NOW Man arrested after bomb threat on Newark-to-New Orleans flight Stanley Zabar, co-owner of iconic NYC grocery store, dies at 94 Is there a nor'easter coming? | Live updates 3 hours ago Suspect in 3 Central Park rapes arrested working at Miami Burger King 1 hour ago Stacy Keach, star of stage and 'Mike Hammer' series, dies at 85 3 hours ago Helicopter pilot made mayday call moments before hard landing on pier 3 dead after car crashes into street vendors, pedestrians near LA Metro station 32 minutes ago Grand jury indicts man on murder charge in Katie Suarez's killing