The search for Long Island teens Vincent Abolafia and Kaileigh Catalano, who went missing and are believed to be in the run somewhere in New York City, has entered its fourth day. On Monday, the search for the teens, who are both 15 years old, has received greater attention but without bringing them home.
They left behind their vaccine cards and cellphones and disappeared after school last Thursday, according to Kaileigh’s mom, Ehrin Catalano.
“Unfortunately, there are no updates, but since the news began covering it, police were working much more aggressively,” Ehrin told Fox News Digital Monday.
The search for Kaileigh and Vincent eventually drew the attention of the parents of Gabby Petito, who vanished in late August, making national headlines for weeks and raising awareness about both domestic violence and missing person cases.
“These are just kids,” Petito’s dad, Joe Petito, tweeted Monday morning. “#VincentAbolafia, #KaileighCatalano need to be found. Please, remember what they look like,” Joe Petito wrote as he also shared a poster that includes a photoshopped image of the missing teens.
After school on Thursday, Kaileigh and Vincent, who were wearing all black, were spotted hitching a ride to the Long Island Rail Road station in Ronkonkoma, a male friend told the teen’s parents, adding that he was under the impression they were heading to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree.
Both kids’ were reported missing by their parents on December 9. Kaileigh was described by her mom as having black hair, 5 feet tall, weighing 118 pounds. Vincent, on the other hand, was described by his stepfather as a 5 feet 3 inches tall boy who weighs around 110 pounds and recently got “a regular haircut. In addition, Vincent may have been carrying a JanSport backpack.
The missing teens’ parents say they are convinced their kids did not go anywhere besides New York City. However, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s vaccine mandate requires a vaccination card for everyone from age five and above to enter indoor dining, fitness, and entertainment venues. The parents became even worried because the two missing teens did not take their vaccine cards and their cellphones with them.
In addition, Vincent’s stepdad, James Bonasia, said that the teens might have access to around $1,200 in cash, but they have no acquaintances in the city.
Anyone with information on the teens’ location is asked to call 911 or Suffolk County Police Department’s Seventh Precinct detectives at 631-852-8752.
