PITTSBURGH —

A seven-year-old student with autism was found safe after wandering off during recess at Pittsburgh Colfax Tuesday afternoon.

A statement from Pittsburgh Public Schools said the school was placed on "hold status" to clear hallways while staff searched "every locker, closet, and restroom" for the missing student. Advertisement

Staff later learned from another student, according to the statement, that the child mentioned that they were planning to play "hide and seek" and "run far so they wouldn't get caught."

School staff and law enforcement expanded their search beyond the school property.

The student was later found safe after they knocked on the door of a retired Pittsburgh Public Schools teacher, who contacted police.

"Pittsburgh Bureau of Police returned the student

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