Autistic Teen's Disappearance in Freezing Conditions Sparks ICE Detainment Fears
A desperate search continues for a 19-year-old autistic man who vanished from his New Jersey home nearly two weeks ago, with his mother expressing grave concerns that federal immigration authorities may have mistakenly detained him.
Vanished in Pajamas During Frigid Weather
Connor Oldfield disappeared from his Plainfield residence on the afternoon of January 24, leaving his home wearing only grey pajama pants and a coat without any form of identification. The town of Plainfield sits approximately thirty miles southwest of New York City, and his disappearance coincided with severe winter conditions that have seen temperatures consistently below freezing.
His mother, Stephanie Senior, told local media that her son's disappearance was completely out of character. "He's a homebody... He's been home alone many times," she explained, noting that he had never wandered off before. She returned home to find him missing and immediately contacted Plainfield police around 3:30 p.m. to file a missing persons report.
ICE Presence in Area Raises Alarming Possibility
What makes this disappearance particularly concerning is the timing and circumstances. Senior revealed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were active in the area on the Saturday following her son's disappearance. "He's got to be somewhere," she stated. "He's either with ICE or with someone."
The mother's fears are compounded by several documented cases where U.S. citizens have been mistakenly detained by immigration authorities during recent enforcement operations. She expressed particular concern that her son might not yet appear in official databases if he has been detained. "What concerns me is they've arrested so many people, my son may not be in the database yet," Senior told reporters.
Extensive Search Efforts Yield No Clues
Since Oldfield's disappearance, an extensive search operation has unfolded across Plainfield and surrounding communities:
- Family, friends, and volunteers have combed churches, hotels, shelters, and transportation stations
- Search parties have scanned multiple towns looking for any sign of the missing teen
- Police have reviewed surveillance footage showing Oldfield running in the area
- Residents have been urged to check their home security systems for potential sightings
The search has been complicated by severe weather conditions, with a significant snowstorm hitting New Jersey the day after Oldfield vanished, causing public transportation shutdowns and creating hazardous conditions for search teams.
Communication Challenges and Identification Details
According to official missing persons bulletins, Connor Oldfield stands about 5'8" tall and weighs approximately 165 pounds. He has short black hair, brown eyes, and a distinctive scar on his forehead. The bulletin specifically notes his autism diagnosis and provides guidance for anyone who might encounter him.
"Connor is autistic," the notice states. "He is verbal and able to communicate; however, he may be nervous or anxious if approached. Please use calm, clear, and reassuring communication."
Official Responses and Ongoing Investigation
Local police have confirmed reaching out to federal immigration officials regarding Oldfield's possible detention, but authorities report no documentation indicating he has been taken into custody. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE operations, maintains that their enforcement activities are "highly targeted and are not resulting in the arrest of U.S. citizens."
However, this assurance provides little comfort to the family, given documented cases of mistaken identity detentions, including a 16-year-old Rhode Island intern taken into ICE custody last November and a U.S. Marshal accidentally arrested in Arizona last June.
As the search enters its second week, family members and volunteers continue their efforts while authorities pursue all possible leads. The combination of freezing temperatures, the vulnerable individual's specific needs, and the possibility of mistaken detention by federal authorities has created a particularly urgent and complex missing persons case that has captured community concern across New Jersey.
