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3 kids missing from their homes in Bronx and Queens this week, police say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published May 16, 2025
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Gary Hershorn / Getty Images
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published May 16, 2025
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Police are asking the public to look out for three young teenagers who went missing from their homes in the Bronx and Queens this week.
NYPD officials said 14-year-old Noah Ortiz left his home at NYCHA’s Sotomayor Houses in Soundview around 9 p.m. Tuesday and has not been seen since.
Ortiz has run away from home before, police said, but they did not have any information about why he left this time.
Noah Ortiz, 14, of the Bronx
NYPD
Also in the Bronx, 14-year-old Jy-Lee Connor went missing around 7 p.m. Wednesday from an address on Howe Avenue in Castle Hill that is listed online as a group home run by the Catholic Guardian Society.
Officials said they did not have any information about why Connor left or whether she has gone missing before.
Jy-Lee Connor, 14, of the Bronx
NYPD
15-year-old Florinda Velasquez left her Flushing home to go to school around 7 a.m. Thursday and did not return, according to the NYPD.
Officials said it was her first time going missing and listed her address on Linden Place and 31st Road. They said her reason for leaving remained unclear.
Florinda Velasquez, 15, of Queens
NYPD
Anyone with information about the teens can call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). They can also submit tips on the Crime Stoppers website.
This is a developing story based on preliminary information from police and may be updated.
Tagged
new york city
public safety
bronx
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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