Morris County Prosecutor's Office Personnel Commended for Efforts in Finding Missing Teenager

Published on February 04, 2019

On February 1, 2019, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp and Chief of Investigations Stephen F. Wilson, Jr. presented commendations to Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Smith, Lieutenant Kristi Allegretta, Detective Supervisor Leah Atterbury, and Mountain Lakes Police Department Detective John Hukowski.

Members of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office worked closely with the Mountain Lakes Police Department in the search for a fifteen-year-old male who was reported missing on October 31, 2018. The above mentioned members of law enforcement canvassed train stations in the area, when surveillance provided them with the information that the juvenile boarded a New Jersey Transit Train heading east. Law enforcement agencies at transit hubs in New Jersey, New York, as well as the Camden/Philadelphia region were notified, and aided enormously in the investigation.

Through the efforts of these law enforcement officers, the juvenile was found two weeks after he left his home, on November 13, 2018 in the Philadelphia area. He was in good condition when he was found, and did not have any injuries.

Prosecutor Knapp said, The combined efforts of all of the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation resulted in the safe return of a fifteen-year-old son to his family. We are extremely proud of the efforts of the members of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and the Mountain Lakes Police Department, who continue to serve the citizens of Morris County.

From left: MCPO Capt. Chris Kimker, Det/Sup Leah Atterbury, Lt. Kristi Allegretta, SAP Melanie Smith, Prosecutor Fredric Knapp, Mt. Lakes PD Det. John Hukowski, Mt. Lakes PD Chief Shawn Bennett, and MCPO Chief of Investigations Stephen F. Wilson, Jr.

Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to Public Information Officer Peter DiGennaro at pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us or 973-829-8159.