ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Authorities are asking for the public's help finding a missing Essex County teen. The 15-year-old has been missing for almost a month, police said.

Kayson Williams Jones, 15, of Newark, has been missing since Monday, January 15, 2018, according to the Newark Department of Public Safety. Jones is 5 feet 10 inches and weighs 140 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt, black jeans and Nike boots. (See below photo)

He is known to frequent Clinton Avenue in the South Ward, police said. "While police are actively searching for Kayson, we seek the public's assistance in quickly locating and returning him to his family," the NPD stated Tuesday.

Anyone with information about Jones' whereabouts can call the department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). Anonymous tips can also be made using the Police Division's website at: www.newarkpd.org or through its smartphone app available at iTunes and Google Play. Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Newark Facebook page.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

