A prompt response by Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue personnel and a DPS helicopter crew led to the safe return of an autistic boy who went missing in the Cottonwood area on Friday afternoon.

According to YCSO, the 12-year-old boy, who is nonverbal, was with his grandfather at the Black Canyon Day Use Area when he walked away somewhere along the Verde River.Search and Rescue personnel immediately responded to search and contain the area; and the Sheriff’s Office received a few calls from citizens who said they saw the boy, but in different locations.

As a precaution, off-highway and swiftwater rescue personnel, and a search dog team were called in, along with a DPS Ranger helicopter.The helicopter crew ultimately spotted the boy hiding in a ravine near one of the reported sightings, in the area of Thousand Trails and State Route 260.

They guided deputies to the location, and through gentle interaction, they were able to get the boy to go with them, so he could be reunited with his family.

Josh Freeman | KAZM News Director | josh@mellowmountainradio.com