A 14-year-old autistic boy who went missing after getting off a plane at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank Wednesday was located in West Hollywood.
Cameron James Smith had last been seen in the late morning getting off an airport parking shuttle near Hollywood Way and Thornton Avenue, according to the airport’s Victor Gill.
The boy had been aboard a plane bound for Salt Lake City that returned to the gate due to a mechanical problem before a scheduled 10:30 a.m. departure, Gill said. He had been dropped off by his parents and was traveling alone.
After getting off the plane, the boy went in front of the terminal and
got on the airport parking shuttle, Gill said.
Gill said his parents contacted airport police shortly after noon, and
police from Los Angeles, Glendale and Burbank, along with airport police, were
looking for him.
ABC7 Eyewitness News reported a manager of the Abbey Food and Bar in West Hollywood alerted police after the teen walked into the bar and ordered an alcoholic beverage, then dashed into the bathroom of a nearby pizza restaurant.
Airport police found the boy about 6 p.m., said Sgt. Brian Lutz of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station.
