Lawrence County Emergency Management Director Travis Hughes expressed deep gratitude to the many first responders, volunteers and community members who helped locate a missing 6‑year‑old boy who was found safe on Sunday.
Coordinated response across state lines
Hugers said the call came Sunday afternoon about the autistic child, prompting an “overwhelming response” that drew agencies and volunteers from Kentucky, West Virginia and Ohio. Kentucky State Police provided aviation support, while the National Guard and a helicopter supplied by local resident Todd Case joined the effort.
Fire departments from Lawrence County, the City of Louisa and surrounding communities also deployed crews, and search‑and‑rescue teams covered difficult terrain, including wooded areas, hillsides and hollers.
Volunteers and faith groups step up
Hundreds of volunteers answered the call, so many that officials asked additional volunteers to hold off while crews organized those already on scene. Local churches opened their doors, and businesses supplied meals, drinks and other necessities for the search teams.
Hughes noted that the child had removed his clothing during the search, raising concerns about exposure to the elements, which made every minute critical.
Community unity praised as a miracle
“Our number one priority from the very beginning was finding that little boy and bringing him home safely,” Hughes said. He called the safe recovery “nothing short of a miracle” and emphasized that the operation demonstrated how quickly the community can unite during an emergency.
“This was not the effort of one person, one department, or one agency. It was a collective effort involving an incredible number of people working toward one common goal,” Hughes added, thanking everyone who contributed.
The story remains developing, and updates will be posted as more information becomes available.
Original reporting: LEX18 Lexington (local) — read the source article.
