Pierce Crowley Still Missing, Family Friend Warns Of Fundraising Scams

UPDATE: Pierce Crowley was found safe in New York City in the early-morning hours of May 31.

Pierce Crowley, a 15-year-old boy from Westchester County, N.Y., has been missing since Friday, and family and friends are desperately trying to find him. And in the midst of this sorrow is exploitation. A family friend has warned volunteers to beware of online fundraising scams.

Peggy Dunne, a family friend of the Crowleys, told the Nyack-Piermont Patch that she is unaware of any legitimate fundraising efforts and that the family does not have any connection to any such operations.

The Nyack-Piermont Patch advises those looking to help Pierce Crowley's family to be very careful when pitching in-and make sure to verify the motives of groups claiming to raise money.

Volunteers have posted fliers in Westchester, Connecticut, Manhattan and the Bronx to spread the word about Crowley's disappearance. The boy's friends started a social media push to further publicize the story and get more involved. Facebook pages and a Twitter hashtag, #findpierce, were created to disseminate updated information on the case.

All volunteer inquiries can be directed to Dunne, at dunnepd@aol.com.

Crowley, a freshman at Iona Preparatory School, was last seen on Friday, May 25. According to a News 12 Westchester report, the boy left New York-Presbyterian Hospital in White Plains with a friend on Friday and went to The Cheesecake Factory on Bloomingdale Avenue. The two later took a taxi to the White Plains Metro-North train station where they parted ways. Crowley was last seen in the cab, reported the Nyack-Piermont Patch.

Crowley stands 5-feet 10-inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He was last seen wearing a bright blue Florida Gators short-sleeve T-shirt. He was last seen in the area of 21 Bloomingdale Avenue in White Plains, N.Y.

In an email to friends, his parents, Peter and Gretchen Crowley, said: As some of you may already know, our dear Pierce is missing. He was not feeling well before he disappeared and is in a fragile state. It is URGENT that we locate him ASAP.

White Plains Police Commissioner David Chong said he is concerned about Pierce Crowley's disappearance, but added that he does not suspect foul play, reported myfoxny.com.

Everyone is hoping for his safe return.

I'm wearing a necklace he gave me and I'm not taking it off until he comes home. Neither Peter or I are the same without Pierce. He is the heart of us and huge void that we want found safe and sound soon, said Crowley's mother.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at (914) 422-6111 or e-mail findpiercecrowley@gmail.com.