NYPD Uses Mannequins to Try and Find Missing Boy

The New York Police Department and BBDO New York are taking the search for missing persons beyond the milk carton. In a project called "Invisible Faces," the face of a boy who disappeared six years ago will now appear on a store window mannequin in an effort to reinvigorate the search and possibly lead to his return. Agency BBDO created the concept, and worked with the NYPD to execute it. Seven-year-old Patrick Alford Jr. went missing from his foster home in 2010; his face, aged to 13 years old, has been sculpted onto a mannequin in the store window of jacket brand K-Way, which has a store located in SoHo, one of Manhattan's most well-trafficked shopping neighborhoods. The mannequin is clothed in a similar red t-shirt to the one Patrick was wearing when he disappeared.If any passersby or store visitors recognize Patrick's likeness, they are encouraged to use an in-store iPad to learn more. The agency has also put together the website www.invisiblefaces.info and the hashtag #bringPatrickhome to spread the word.The store window will remain up until the middle of May.