Family tracks down missing son Nick Simmons after his photo runs in local newspaper

NICHOLAS Simmons, 20, had been missing from his hometown since New Year's Day. He happened to be captured in a newspaper photo for an unrelated story, which lead to a remarkable series of events.

Nick warms himself on a steam grate with three other homeless men by the Federal Trade Commission, just blocks from the Capit...

A FAMILY has tracked down their missing son after they happened to see a photo of him in their local newspaper, attached to a story about the cold weather snap currently hitting the US.

Nicholas Simmons, 20, who had been missing from his hometown of Greece, New York since New Year's Day, was found in Washington DC overnight.

The photo, taken by an Associated Press photographer, appeared in the local newspaper the Democrat and Chronicleafter being syndicated from USA Today.

The picture's caption described a homeless man identified only as "Nick" wrapped in a blanket, staying warm by huddling next to a steam grate in Washington DC.

Mr Simmon's sister Hannah Simmons reached out to the USA Today reporter who wrote the story, Natalie DiBlasio, on Twitter.

@ndiblasio please contact me. you wrote an article for USA today that features a picture of my missing brother

@ndiblasio pic.twitter.com/y4uKeOsPLY

Ms DiBlasio then put her in contact with the photographer.

@ndiblasio Thank you for contacting me I am in touch with the family now.

Mr Simmons was found after a search of the area where the photo was taken.

Greece Police Department released a statement saying: "Simmons was located after he was photographed in Washington, DC, by an AP reporter. (The) photo ran in the USA Today in an unrelated story and the photo was seen by Simmons' family who recognised him."

Mr Simmon's mother, Michelle Simmons, posted about her gratitude on a Facebook page the family set up to help track him down. The Facebook page has since been deleted.

"Nick is alive and obviously not well. We are going to get him home safe and this is by far the greatest example of God's love and divine intervention I have ever experienced.

"I am beyond able to put into words how I am feeling."

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