The Hernandez family and Kate Buddeke Photo

From: Photo Coverage: SUPERIOR DONUTS Greets Francisco Hernandez and Family

On October 16, Francisco Hernandez Jr. went directly from school to the subway and spent the next 11 days riding from borough to borough with nothing but a metrocard, $10, and a schoolbag. Hernandez, a thirteen year-old who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome (a form of autism that can lead to eccentric behavior and isolation), had gotten in trouble at school and was afraid to go home for fear of being punished. After an 11 day search involving the boy's parents, the New York City transit authority, police and even the Mexican Consulate, Hernandez was found at the Coney Island station stop by a transit police officer.