Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Seeks Public’s Help In Locating Missing Lakewood Boy

missing_cohenThe O.C. Prosecutors Office has submitted the following statement to TLS: Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing person and returning him to the legal custody of his parents. The actual residence of the young man will be determined by a decision of the Family Court. She has released the following statement:

“Eliezer Cohen is 17 years old and is presently considered a missing person. He was first reported missing by his parents on or about March 4, 2010, shortly after he returned home after an extended visit to Israel. He is described as being 5 feet tall, approximately 105 pounds in weight. He is Caucasian, brown eyes and black hair, with a small scar on his left cheek. Eliezer usually dresses in traditional black outfits, commonly worn by members of the ultra-Orthodox community.

“Where Eliezer will live until he turns 18 or is emancipated is something the court would like to determine, once it has the opportunity to privately interview Eliezer and consider all the evidence before it.

“The Family Court Judge assigned to this, Judge Marquis D. Jones, Jr., however, has not had the opportunity to interview Eliezer, since he did not appear for a Family Court hearing on November 12, 2010. He is once again considered a missing person since September 25, 2010.

“The status of Eliezer must be resolved by the court for his own safety. For example, as an unemancipated minor, neither he nor anyone else can make medical, social or other decisions for him. We are unaware whether or not he is attending school, or whether his daily living needs are being met. It is imperative that Eliezer, or whoever is harboring him, return him to the Family Court, in order that his legal status be resolved, and the anguish of his parents be alleviated,” explained Prosecutor Ford.

“Superior Court Judge Marquis D. Jones, Jr., has ordered that law enforcement actively seek the whereabouts of Eliezer. We need the assistance of the public in order to carry out this directive. It is not our intention to take Eliezer into custody by force, unless of course his current living arrangement presents a concern for danger. However, it is our intention to carry out the mandate of the Superior Court to find Eliezer, and to submit our report to the Court for further instruction,” explained Prosecutor Ford.

“I would encourage Eliezer to contact Lakewood Township Detective Oscar Valmon, at 732-363-0200, or Detective Brian Haggerty of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, 732-929-2027 to reveal his whereabouts and to allow the Family Court to make an appropriate determination of his legal status and his living arrangements. In addition, I would encourage any member of the public with knowledge of the whereabouts of Eliezer Cohen to contact law enforcement with that information. Remaining silent is not in the best interest of this young man. All communications will be kept confidential and we will accept information about Eliezer from anonymous sources” said Prosecutor Ford.

“At the present time, this is a continuing investigation and we are pursuing all leads as to the whereabouts of this young man. But we also must call upon the public to help us in locating him and to determine whether or not he is being neglected, harmed or otherwise endangered,” said Prosecutor Ford.

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19 COMMENTS

  1. I highly doubt that eliezer is in danger at all. His parents think they mean well by persuing him and not letting him go to the yeshiva of his choice. Though he is not yet 18 years old, he is mature beyond his years and they should just let him live his own life. I have no question that when he is ready to face his parents he will do so.

  2. to 1:
    you THINK you saw him there bec. has long payos!?

    you even said yourself…maybe its his bro.

    MOST people who frequent there, have long payos….

  3. Realize that this Eliezer was brought back in shackles on a flight from Eretz Yisroel. He was learning in Reb Zvi Kushulevsky’s yeshiva in Har Nof. He then went to Stamford Yeshiva, one of the most distinguished yeshivos in the USA. He was picked up by marshals from the yeshiva and brought back to Lakewood. No wonder that he feels threatened by his parents and went into hiding. As of now he is obviously not in any yeshiva and it is just time that the parents let go.

  4. I’m so glad you all know so much about him.lol
    Does anyone know when he’ll be 18? When will he be a free man.
    I can tell you one thing for sure he’s not in lakewood!!!!!!

  5. i believe that within the next few months he will be 18. this is one of the reasons that the courts are not so concerned with this case. obviously, the prosecuter wants to make headlines and if he can arrest someone for hiding him, that would be great for him.

  6. The ProsecutOr (not with an e), is a woman. The Honorable Marlene Lynch Ford is a great person. Please do not bad mouth her. She has earned and deserves our respect. Thank you kindly.

Comments are closed.