By Jordan Collins, 1 day ago
Source: The Mary Sue
A New Jersey woman, Jennifer Buckley, has been charged with obstruction after her 17-year-old son, whom she claimed was missing, was found alive and well, hiding in a crawl space in her home. The father had reported the boy missing, but Buckley allegedly told police her son was not at her house and she couldn't find him.
Initial Report and Search Efforts
The 17-year-old was first reported missing by his father on Tuesday evening after he was absent from his scheduled drop-off. Buckley reportedly told police her son did not want to go to his father's home and expressed concerns that he might be a danger to himself.
The East Brunswick Police Department launched an extensive search for the boy. According to a statement from the department:
• Patrol officers and other personnel devoted significant resources to the search.
• Detectives conducted a follow-up investigation in the days that followed.
However, authorities later discovered discrepancies in Buckley's story after entering the teen's details into the National Crime Information Center.
Discovery and Arrest
Police eventually searched Buckley's home and reportedly found the 17-year-old hiding in a crawl space in the basement. There was no evidence to suggest he was harmed. Officers determined that the teen had been in the crawl space the whole time and that his mother had helped to keep him hidden.
Jennifer Buckley was subsequently arrested and charged with obstructing the administration of law.
Father's Reaction and Police Statement
The news seemingly came as little surprise to the boy's father, Matthew Buckley, who told NBC News he had been confident his son was hiding at his mother’s the whole time. "Honestly, I wasn't too worried," he told reporters, "I knew she was pulling some BS like she always does."
East Brunswick Police Chief Frank LoSacco emphasized that reports of missing juveniles are taken seriously, "particularly when there are concerns for that child's safety." He added that the department would "commit the resources necessary to locate them."
LoSacco commended the "patrol officers, detectives and other personnel who worked diligently to locate this juvenile and ensure his safety." However, he noted that the misleading information provided by the mother:
• Undermines those efforts.
• Unnecessarily diverts officers and resources away from community members who may need immediate police assistance.
(Featured image: East Brunswick Police Department, Facebook, mdfriendofhillary, CC BY-SA 2.0.)
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