Little boy found alive! Family credits community-wide support, search crews
SALINA, Okla. (KTUL) – A 2-year-old boy was found, and he’s doing fine, after going missing for more than a day in Mayes County.
The family credits the community-wide search for the happy ending.
Deputies said Jesse Young disappeared from his family’s property near Salina around 11 a.m. Wednesday.
After going missing for more than 24 hours and a massive search involving volunteers and multiple law enforcement agencies, the young boy is now home with family.
“He’s getting a warm bath right now and getting cleaned up and getting some clothes on, and he’s jabbering away, but he’s good," said uncle Steve Smith.
His family celebrated outside their home minutes after volunteers on horseback found Jesse safe 2 miles from his home.
Family confirms a father and son located the toddler after the son heard the toddler crying.
The rescuers declined an interview but told Tulsa’s Channel 8 that 16-year-old Seth Best from Adair is the hero who found Jesse.
“This is something bigger than all of us, this is awesome, how a community come together," said Major Rod Howell.
Mayes County deputies were speaking with the media when they got a call that the boy had been located.
“He’s not even 3 years old, and he made it 2 miles from here,” said the uncle. “I don’t know how, but he’s good.”
Smith addressed the volunteers outside the home as family took care of the child inside.
“He only has some scratches on his legs, but that’s it," said Smith.
The search began Wednesday, but Thursday it grew with several local, state and federal agencies joining in.
Plus, groups of people showed up to walk in the woods, ride ATVs and search the area on horseback.
“We couldn’t have done it without y'all, every one of y'all, it’s amazing," said Howell.
For the longest time, Howell maintained that this was a search-and-rescue, nothing more, and that’s how it ended, just like anyone had hoped.
A community came together to embrace a family and bring their boy to safety.
Family members say little Jesse is doing fine.
They say he loves the outdoors and just went too far.
