Missing Job Corps Student

Said To Slip Out Window 

By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

ONEONTA – The morning he was reported missing, Eliaas A. Zedeno-Correa’s roommate informed Job Corps staff that the 19-year-old had gone out the window the night before, OJC Director Chris Kuhn said today.

“Students have to sign in and out,” said Kuhn. “But the next morning, his roommate told us he went out the window and ran off.”

State troopers found Zedeno-Correa’s body Wednesday, Jan. 8, partially submerged in a creek off West Street, two days after he was reported missing. The Union City, N.J., native had been at Job Corps since October and was enrolled in the autobody program.

“They had just come back from winter break,” saod Kuhn. “He arrived on campus and checked in that evening.”

Job Corps staff joined state troopers in the search. “We went to the mall, fast-food places, places where kids hang out,” he said. “After work on Tuesday, I went to the laundromats and the Yellow Deli. The staff was just incredible in their efforts to locate him.”

Although the cause of Zedeno-Correa’s death have not been determined, pending toxicology reports, the body  showed signs of hypothermia. “Young people don’t understand how serious the conditions can be up here,” said Kuhn.

A memorial was held on campus, and grief counselors were made available. “We’re trying to educate students that if they see something, they should say something,” he said. “There is always an opportunity to retrain staff and students on what our precedents are in these cases.”

“It’s a tragic event to start the new year,” he added. “We work with a vulnerable population, and their well-being is our highest priority.”