Search Underway After Autistic Child’s Beloved Teddy Bear Goes Missing in Atlantic City

A Philadelphia family struggles to find a young boy’s comfort toy on a New Year’s Eve trip to an Atlantic City hotel casino, which turned emotional.

Callen, 9, is missing his pet teddy bear Tim. Margie Lynn, his mother, said the bear got lost at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on December 31. The family has been searching for the item without success, so they requested help.

Callen considers his teddy bear more than a toy. Autistic children feel safe and calm in strange or busy situations with familiar objects. Losing such a thing can devastate their routine. The bear comforts and stabilizes Callen, especially in strange places, explains his mother.

The loss’s timing disturbs the family. Callen’s mother hopes the bear is found and returned before his January 14 birthday. A simple item is precious to the child and his family.

Its focus on a common yet misunderstood autistic feature has drawn attention. Comfort products help kids manage stress. Losing familiarity may overwhelm a tiny child.

The family is asking anyone who spotted or found the teddy bear at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City around New Year’s Eve to come forward. No evidence of criminality, only hope the item was taken by mistake and can be restored.

As they search, the family hopes public awareness will help. Callen’s holiday would be normalized by finding Tim.

Sources:
Family statement shared by the child’s mother
Information related to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino visit