The blue lights of a police car, set upon a blue sky background.
The blue lights of a police car, set upon a blue sky background.

Quick action by local business owner and police led to safe recovery of barefoot 12-year-old autistic girl

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1 min read
April 8, 2026

BEACHWOOD, N.J. – A 12-year-old autistic girl who ran away from her home without shoes was safely reunited with her family after being spotted by a local restaurant owner, in an incident highlighting rapid coordination between the community and Beachwood Police Department.

The child was located at the Sandcastle Diner after the restaurant’s owner, identified as John, noticed she appeared distressed and alone. According to local information, the girl had left her home barefoot before being seen at the business, prompting concern and immediate assistance.

Restaurant owner steps in to help

John, the diner owner, provided the child with food and drinks while waiting for police to arrive. At the same time, the child’s parents had contacted 911 to report her missing, triggering a police response.

The Beachwood Police Department responded and facilitated a swift reunion between the child and her parents at the diner. No injuries were reported.

Key Points
• Missing 12-year-old autistic girl found at Beachwood diner after running away barefoot
• Restaurant owner provided food and stayed with child until police arrived
• Child safely reunited with parents following 911 call

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

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