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Missing boy, 10, found after extensive search in Hurst

By Bethany Krajelis, The Southern

Saturday, February 2, 2008 11:44 PM CST

HURST - More than five hours after a 10-year-old Hurst boy was reported missing Saturday, a Royalton resident called police with news that she found the boy and his dog.

Hurst Police Chief Ron Harvel said the boy's parents made the report at 12:36 p.m. Saturday, about two hours after the child went for a walk with the family's Rottweiler.

The Royalton woman called police at 5:07 p.m., seven minutes after a local news station broadcast news of the missing child report, Harvel said.

"He's OK," Harvel said of the boy, who he would not identify because of his juvenile status. "I've see him walk his dog all the time, but he's never wandered this far off."

Harvel said the 10-year-old child most likely walked through a large field filled old strip mines to get to the area of the Royalton residence in which he was found. Hurst is about 5 miles south of Royalton.

Search teams in ATVs were searching snow-covered fields off Illinois 149 throughout the day; state police and private planes were in the air.

"I have never seen an effort quite this big before," Harvel said of the search team that stood behind the police tape at the Hurst Fire Department.

Illinois State Police had five troopers patrolling and one plane in the air, Harvel said, adding that a resident was also overhead in his private plane. Another resident hopped on her horse to help, and others used ATVs.

Harvel said Hurst was assisted by many other agencies, including police and or fire departments from Lake of Egypt, Carterville, Royalton, Desoto, Gorham and sheriff's departments in Williamson and Jackson counties.

After being out in Saturday's chilly temperatures for more than five hours, Harvel said the boy was cold, and an ambulance was going to the Royalton home to make sure he was OK. He did not believe there was any serious injury.

The boy's parents were notified shortly after 5 p.m. and were on their way to the residence to get their son and dog, the chief said.

Police weren't sure why the boy wandered off, Harvel said, adding that he may have been upset with his parents. A detective was expected to talk to the boy Saturday night.

Regardless, Harvel said he was more than pleased the boy was found safe and proud of those who participated in the search.

bethany.krajelis@thesouthern.com

351-5816