The reward for the safe return of a missing New York City teen with autism , Avonte Oquendo , has been raised to $ 70,000 , thanks to an anonymous donation through Autism Speaks , according to a spokesman for the organization . The $ 50,000 donation came in Friday morning and was specifically earmarked to aid the search effort for Oquendo , said C.J . Volpe , director of media relations for Autism Speaks , a national organization devoted to autism research and advocacy . The reward was previously $ 20,000 . Mayerson & Associates , a Manhattan law firm that represents individuals with autism , and the Manhattan 's Children Center , a nonprofit private autism school , had each pledged $ 5,000 . Later , Oquendo 's mother 's employer , Health First , and The Perecman Firm , the law firm now representing the Oquendo family , pledged an additional $ 5,000 each , according to David Perecman , the family 's attorney . `` We work to keep our children safe every day , and we hope this raises awareness to getting him found , '' said Abby Weiss , chief administrator of the Manhattan 's Children Center . Gary Mayerson , the founder of the law firm bearing his name , said the status of the search and investigation may lead to the reward money being increased . `` We can not begin to imagine what Avonte 's family is going through , '' the firm said in a written statement . `` Time is of the essence . '' Surveillance video shows 14-year-old Oquendo , of Queens , running out the door of Center Boulevard School in Long Island City at 12:38 p.m. on October 4 . Police say he is unable to communicate verbally . New York Police Department spokeswoman Annette Markowski told CNN that there have been no new developments in the case and the investigation continues . The Oquendo family filed a `` notice of claim '' Wednesday , said Perecman , marking the first step of a civil lawsuit against the city of New York . He declined to give further information regarding the claim . Perecman also told CNN that he is taking steps to investigate how Oquendo was able to escape school grounds unsupervised . `` Right now , we have submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the city and the various agencies involved , in order to obtain the information for us to know what occurred , '' Perecman said . However , the family remains resolute in their search for their missing son . `` I 'm just doing my job as their lawyer , but the focus is on finding Avonte . That is the family 's focus , '' Perecman said . Earlier this week , Oquendo 's mother called the situation `` heartbreaking . '' `` I just need to find my son because he needs his family , he can not fend for himself out there , '' Vanessa Fontaine told CNN affiliate WABC . `` This is just the hardest thing to have your child disappear , and you can not bring him home with you , '' she said . According to the surveillance video provided by the NYPD , no supervisor or monitor stopped the 14-year-old when he ran out . `` He is supposed to have one-to-one supervision at all times , '' Fontaine said through tears . `` He has the mental capacity of a 7- or 8-year-old . '' The New York City Department of Education issued a statement saying it is working closely with the police on the investigation . The school is not commenting . Police say Oquendo was last seen wearing a gray-striped shirt , black jeans and black sneakers . He is 5 feet , 3 inches tall and weighs 125 pounds . Missing posters are being handed out and the surrounding areas are under investigation , WABC reported . `` He does n't know that , you know , ' I can get hurt in the street , someone can grab me and take me . ' He does n't know that , '' Fontaine said Monday . `` He does n't know fear . '' Autism Speaks employees and volunteers will be joining the search effort Friday , Volpe wrote in an e-mail . `` We 're all just praying for his safe return and we want to do everything we can to support the family . People in our community are rallying together and doing what we can to ensure that he comes home , '' Volpe said . A vigil for Oquendo is expected to be held Friday night in a park across the street from his school . Anyone with information about Oquendo is asked to contact the NYPD 's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS . The public can also submit tips at Crime Stoppers website , nypdcrimestoppers.com or text to 274637 ( CRIMES ) , then enter TIP577 .
Avonte Oquendo , Friday , has been missing since he ran out of his school 14 . `` He can not fend for himself out there , '' says his mother , Avonte Oquendo . An anonymous $ 20,000 donation for the reward came in Friday through Autism Speaks . The family takes the first step toward filing a lawsuit against the city , an attorney says .