News

Missing boy, 14, found safe after hours-long search

DONORA, Pa. — A 14-year-old boy who was reported missing in Donora was found safe early Tuesday morning after an all-night search, Channel 11's Jennifer Tomazic reported.

Police reunited Konah Hawkins with family members about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Donora Police Department. He had been missing for more than 10 hours.

Family members said Hawkins, who has autism, had left his home at 6:30 p.m. Monday. He was last seen at a Uni-Mart about an hour later.

Police and volunteers actively searched for Hawkins overnight. He was found at the Route 43/70 interchange in Fallowfield Township, about 10 miles from where he went missing.

Authorities said the initial call was for someone walking on the interstate with a club, and did not indicate that a missing person had been spotted. It turned out that Hawkins had a stick, not a club.

Hawkins was placed in handcuffs, per protocol when transporting anyone, police said. Troopers did not know he was the missing teenager at the time, and had they known, other accommodations could have been made.

Hawkins’ father was seen giving his son a coat when they were reunited. His grandparents said the family is thankful to everyone who helped with the search.

“I'm just really happy and thank God for the protection over him, but he will be fine. We are glad that he is back,” Gina Huggins, Hawkins’ grandmother, said.