A family is desperately searching for a 17-year-old boy who went missing on Friday, possibly after jumping from the Staten Island Ferry. His older sister has now made a public plea for help as the investigation continues.
The boy, identified by his sister as Edwin Aguilar, was last seen on Friday evening. According to the NYPD, a 17-year-old was reported missing around 7:09 p.m. after a witness said they saw someone jump off the ferry while it was traveling between Manhattan and Staten Island.
The police were immediately notified, and several emergency services rushed to the scene. NYPD’s Harbor Unit and the U.S. Coast Guard began a search operation in the waters around the ferry route. So far, no body has been recovered, and authorities have not confirmed the identity of the person seen jumping off the ferry.
The missing boy’s sister, Claribel Aguilar, spoke out in a heartfelt post on social media asking for help. She said her brother was dealing with mental health issues and had left their home in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, before going missing.
She believes he may have taken his own life and is asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything to come forward.
In her post, Claribel described Edwin as a loving and caring brother who was going through a difficult time. She said that he had been struggling emotionally but had been trying to get better.
She shared a photo of him and asked people to contact her or the authorities if they had any information about his whereabouts.
The NYPD has not confirmed the name of the missing boy or whether he was the person seen jumping from the ferry, but the timeline and circumstances appear to match what Claribel described.
Witnesses on the ferry told police they saw a splash in the water and reported it immediately. Emergency crews responded within minutes and launched a rescue search. However, strong currents and limited visibility made the operation difficult.
As of now, the search is still ongoing. Police officials say they are continuing to investigate all possibilities and are reviewing surveillance footage and ferry logs.
The Staten Island Ferry is a busy transportation link between Manhattan and Staten Island and carries thousands of commuters daily. Friday’s incident has left many riders shaken and has raised concerns about safety measures on the ferry.
Claribel is urging the public to keep an eye out and contact the NYPD if anyone has any details, no matter how small. “Please help us find my little brother,” she wrote. “We are heartbroken and just want answers.”