Post last updated at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 6:
A young boy was found alive Monday morning following an overnight search effort. He was being examined by medics but appeared to be OK, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
A family member had reported the boy missing around 5 p.m. Sunday in a wooded area near the North 600 block of East 1000 Road.
Law enforcement, first responders and search parties were looking for the 6-year-old overnight Sunday into Monday.
Emergency personnel used thermal imaging drones to continue the search well after dark, police scanner reports indicated.
“After extended searches throughout the night, deputies found the boy walking near a tree line just before 9 a.m.,” according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
“We want to thank all the area agencies who came to aid in this extensive search, and we are so happy for a good outcome in this case in being able to find the boy who was safe,” Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister said in the release. “This massive effort and use of resources shows the dedication of DGSO and area agencies to help anyone in our community.”
We reached out to request information about this incident around 7 p.m. Sunday but did not get a response from law enforcement until Monday morning. We asked about the reason for the delay in sharing information.
“From the list of agencies who assisted we had all the resources we could ask for in the search, and the concern was with bringing anyone into the area that could hinder the search and compound an already difficult situation into an unmanageable one,” Armbrister said via email. “By the time we were working to address questions this morning, thankfully the boy was found, due to the dedication of deputies and all who assisted.”
The red pin on the map below shows the approximate location where the boy went missing.
“The search involved a DGSO drone and Lawrence Police Department drone as well as a Kansas Highway Patrol helicopter and search dogs from the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department and Winchester Fire Department. Crews assisted with Douglas County Consolidated Fire District No. 1, Willow Springs Township Fire Department, Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical, the Baldwin City Fire Department and Baldwin City Police Department,” according to the release.
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Note: This post has been updated to correct the approximate location where the boy went missing.
