A 5-year-old non-verbal boy who was reported missing Thursday afternoon in Port Washington was found safe less than 90 minutes later, following a coordinated search effort involving multiple emergency agencies.
According to Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell, the 911 center received a call at approximately 1:35 p.m. from the child’s grandmother, who reported the boy had gone missing from a residence. She told dispatchers the child, who was wearing swim trunks, disappeared when she briefly turned away.
All available deputies — including command staff — responded to the area to begin the search and investigation. Authorities quickly established a perimeter and organized search grids around the neighborhood. A public emergency notification was also sent to residents within a three-mile radius, urging them to check their properties for any signs of the child.
A Sheriff’s Office drone team was deployed, and several agencies responded to assist, including the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Arrowhead Fire Department, Delaware Valley Fire Department, Newcomerstown Fire Department, Tri County Joint Ambulance District, and Tuscarawas County Emergency Management.
Crews began a door-to-door search of nearby homes and buildings. At 2:49 p.m., a Sheriff’s detective located the missing child inside a nearby residence that had an unlocked door. The boy had entered the home, helped himself to some food, and appeared to be physically unharmed.
“We wish to thank the public and all of our public safety partners for helping resolve this situation as quickly as possible with no harm coming to the child,” Sheriff Campbell said in a statement.
