A missing 13-year-old child was safely located Tuesday night following a multi-agency search in Wapello County.
According to the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a report around 8:08 p.m. on February 3rd that a juvenile had walked away from a residence about an hour earlier. Family members became concerned when the child did not return and could not be located.
An immediate investigation and search were launched, with assistance from the Wapello County Rural Fire Department, Wapello County Emergency Management, and the Ottumwa Police Department.
Around 10:30 p.m., a concerned citizen contacted authorities after spotting a young child walking near Highway 34 around mile marker 191. Search personnel responded to the area, but the child was not located at that time.
Approximately 20 minutes later, a deputy using a thermal imaging device located the child in a nearby tree line. The child told law enforcement he had become lost. He was safely recovered and transported back to his residence without injury.
The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office thanked the citizen who reported the sighting and reminded the public to contact authorities when something does not seem right. Officials also noted that the Sheriff’s Office offers an anonymous crime tip line, which continues to play a key role in investigations.
Law enforcement says community involvement is essential in keeping Wapello County a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.