Autistic boy reported missing from Bob Hope Airport

Authorities are searching for a 14-year-old autistic boy who wandered out of the Bob Hope Airport earlier today.

Cameron James Smith was scheduled to depart on a 10:30 a.m. flight, but the plane had to return to the gate and the passengers exited the aircraft, officials said.

The boy was seen boarding an airport parking shuttle in front of the terminal and he exited the shuttle at the airport’s main entrance at Hollywood Way and Thornton Avenue, according to a statement from the airport.

Airport police were notified of the incident at noon and a search has been underway ever since.

The Burbank and Los Angeles police departments and the Burbank-Glendale Air Support unit are also involved in the search.

Smith is described as a white boy, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 118 pounds with brown hair. He was wearing a white, long-sleeved sweater, light blue jeans and brown penny loafers.

[Note: A previous version of this post incorrectly stated his height at 5 feet 10 inches.]

-- Mark Kellam, Times Community News

Twitter: @LAMarkKellam

Photo: Cameron James Smith at Bob Hope Airport on Wednesday October 29, 2011. Credit: Bob Hope Airport