Missing boy found safe

A four-year-old child was the subject of a search in Peace Valley. The parents woke from a nap and could not locate the child who had been missing for an unknown amount of time, Sheriff Brent Campbell told Howell County News.

On Jan. 21, Deputy Melanie Roam received the report from dispatch at approximately noon, and deputies responded to the residence on CR 1480.

Peace Valley Fire Department search and rescue as well as other surrounding volunteer departments were requested to aid the search. 

An outpouring of support from the community to help in the search followed.

“That’s what I just love about this community,” said Sheriff Campbell. “In this world, it is the community. We have to be a team. We are called to serve. That’s what it comes back to.”

K-9 and drone assets were requested to the scene. Deputy Travis Weaver and K-9 partner Otis joined the search. Using an article of the missing child’s clothing, for K-9 Otis to track, Deputy Weaver led Otis to the area where the juvenile was last seen. 

Otis indicated a scent trail, the deputy said in an interview. Weaver and his K-9 followed the trail approximately a quarter mile through the woods. 

After a 20-minute search Otis located the child. The boy was safe, playing in a mud puddle with a toy truck, Deputy Weaver said. 

“The place he was located is one of the first places the parents searched, so I'm thankful for my canine. I don’t know that anyone would have checked that spot again. I felt a huge amount of relief,” Deputy Weaver said. “I’m thankful for my dog and everyone else who assisted. Kids are our number one priority, our future.” 

“It’s nice having K-9 assets,” commented Sheriff Campbell. “We have three, and they are all cross-trained. Otis is very docile and excels in tracking. Deputy Weaver excels in community engagement; I really like to see it.”