Missing boy found safe after involved search process

The report of a missing nine-year-old boy Monday, September 8 prompted Allamakee County officials to call on the assistance of a vast array of local and statewide help before he was found safely about a mile away from his home at a neighboring farm. An initial report released by the Allamakee County Sheriff's Office relayed that the boy was seen shortly before 7:30 a.m. walking along Moose Road near his home approximately four miles north of Waukon. He would end up trekking through wooded area and farm fields to end up being found at a neighbor's farm along State Highway 9 more than four hours later.
When the child did not get on the school bus and could not be found around his home, an initial search by family members resulted in his father making contact with Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick, who said "covering all options" from the vast wooded area near the child's rural home to possible abduction since his home was located near a major state highway (Hwy. 9) eventually involved a significantly more involved search. From the initial involvement of the Allamakee County Sheriff and Emergency Management Departments, calls also went out to all area fire departments for manpower and all-terrain equipment. The Iowa State Patrol search airplane and agents from the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation were also involved in the search process, according to reports.