Watch CBS News

Missing Boy With Autism Found Safe

(CBS) -- An 8-year-old boy with autism was found unharmed, six hours after he wandered off during a trip with his mother to a Skokie shopping mall.

An employee of the LL Bean store in Old Orchard Center found the boy, Brooklyn Venter, sitting on a stairwell in an "employee only" portion of the store.

Missing Autistic Boy Found

Skokie village spokesperson Ann Tennes said Brooklyn on Thursday afternoon had gone to lunch at the mall with his mother, who then took him to the play area in front of the LL Bean store.

The boy wandered off inside the store, and apparently remained inside until he was found.

Making the search more difficult was Brooklyn's inability to talk. Sometimes he does not respond when his name is called.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.