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NJ State Police: Facebook Post Helps ID New Bridge Medical Center Patient

PARAMUS, N.J. -- (UPDATE) A non-responsive man with a distinctive tattoo who remained hospitalized at New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus nearly a month was identified thanks to a Facebook post by New Jersey State Police.

Michael Paparella, left, briefly went missing in 2014.

Michael Paparella, left, briefly went missing in 2014.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: NJ State Police and Facebook

The late Monday afternoon post drew the attention of a friend who identified the man as Michael Paparella, 21, of Staten Island.

"We are in the process of making arrangements with family," the NJSP said Tuesday.

Paparella previously went missing in May 2014 and was found less than a week later, according to the NYPD.

He was admitted to New Bridge Medical Center on Jan. 29, State Police said.

They pointed to a tattoo on his left chest that says: “NAIVASHA.”

It's the name of a girl he once loved, said Maya Michelle, who lived across the street from him on Staten Island. 

After being alerted by a friend, Michelle checked the State Police post and "noticed that tattoo."

"He showed me it one day. It’s on his chest," she told Daily Voice. "I don’t know how I remember that tattoo but it just clicked.

Michelle said that she'd reached out late Monday and was "just waiting for his family to message me back....I hope he's OK."

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