SYLVA, N.C. (WLOS) — A 12-year-old boy with autism who went missing from his home Monday night was found safe after a rapid, coordinated search involving multiple agencies and a valuable member of the Sylva Police Department’s staff: K-9 Brody.
Police said the child was reported missing shortly after 6 p.m. from a residence on Nowhere Drive, as temperatures dropped to around 15 degrees. Officers were on scene within minutes, quickly establishing a perimeter and deploying a tracking canine amid concerns about the cold and the child’s vulnerability.
“We were thrilled to bring it to a close so fast, given the temperatures we were facing,” Assistant Chief Robbie Carter said. “We knew he had approximately an hour head start on us, and we had no direction of travel.”
Carter said officers learned about the child’s age, that he had autism, and what clothing he was wearing. While police had a recent photo of the child, they had no indication of which direction he had gone.
Given the urgency, officers prioritized deploying SPD’s tracking canine, K9 Brody, and handler Sgt. Josh Geiger. Carter said the department’s canine teams are dual-purpose, trained in narcotics detection and article tracking, and regularly train alongside the Macon County Sheriff’s Office.
Once a scent article was obtained from the home, the canine began tracking.
“K9 Brody picked up the scent and went to work,” Carter said.
The track led officers approximately 200 yards from the child’s home to an abandoned vehicle on nearby property, where the boy was found curled up inside. Police said he was very cold but otherwise healthy.
In a statement, Sylva Police Chief Chad Hatton said the child could have easily suffered serious harm in the cold and credited the quick deployment of resources for the outcome.
Authorities emphasized the rescue was the result of a countywide response. Agencies assisting included the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Emergency Management, Sylva Fire Department, Jackson County Rescue Squad, Harris EMS, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and Jackson County Communications.
Drones equipped with thermal imaging were also requested, Carter said, but were not fully deployed before the canine located the child.
Carter said Sylva police have responded to several similar cases involving children with developmental disabilities and urged families to contact authorities immediately if a child goes missing.
“The sooner we’re notified, the better off we are,” Carter said. “Parents try to do the right thing and look on their own, and we understand that. But with weather and time working against us, getting us involved early makes a huge difference.”
Hatton called the response a powerful example of teamwork.