At approximately 2:15 p.m. the Clermont County Communications Center received a call from a resident in the 1800 block of Bell Tower Circle in Batavia Township, Clermont County reporting that a 6-year-old autistic child had walked away from the residence and was unable to be located.  The child was last seen in the backyard approximately 30 minutes before the call.

 Deputies and detectives from the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the scene and utilized drones and canine units in an effort to locate the child.

 At approximately 3:24 p.m., the child was located roughly one-half mile from the residence, barefoot in a creek bed.  The child was evaluated by EMS personnel from Central Joint Fire & EMS.

 The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend its appreciation to the Pierce Township Police Department and Central Joint Fire & EMS personnel for their assistance in locating and evaluating the child.

 “When a child is missing, every second matters. Our deputies and surrounding law enforcement agencies responded with a sense of urgency, working together with one shared goal: bringing this child home safely. I am proud of the professionalism, dedication, and teamwork demonstrated throughout this response. Most importantly, the child was found safe. Protecting the most vulnerable members of our county is our highest priority, and this outcome demonstrates the importance of timely action and coordinated efforts of first responders.” Sheriff Chris Stratton