Mute, Autistic Boy Missing for Six Days Found Alive in Virginia Woods
- Posted on October 29, 2011 at 3:57pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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An eight-year-old mute autistic boy was found alive in a Virginia battlefield park Friday, six days after he vanished in the woods during an outing with his family.
Robert Wood Jr. was discovered in a quarry less than a mile from where he was last seen. He was curled up in the fetal position on a creek bed of wet leaves.
Hanover County Sheriff David Hines said Wood was in good condition but was taken to an area hospital for further evaluation.
Wood had been visiting the North Anna Battlefield Park with his family Sunday, Oct. 23 when they realized he had wandered away. Unable to find him, they reported his disappearance to the sheriff, who called in a local bloodhound canine squad. The bloodhounds detected the boy’s scent in the area, leading to hopes he hadn’t gone far.
His disappearance prompted a massive search with thousands of volunteers scouring the battlefield, about 20 miles north of Richmond, Va. Hines said so many volunteers came out to help that some had to be turned away.
Wood does not speak, and would be unlikely to make a noise in response to someone calling his name, one of his teachers said. The area where he was found had been searched previously, so he probably had been roaming the area the entire time.
Adam Warman of the Faison School for Autism told local CBS affiliate WTVR-TV that students at the school were overjoyed when the announcement was made over the loudspeaker that their classmate had been found.
“They started yelling and cheering and crying,” Warman said.
Wood’s parents thanked the community and the searchers for their support and persistence.
“Robert is a very strong and determined little boy. We never gave up hope that he would return home safe,” Robert Wood Sr. said in a statement. “There were some times that you just had to reach down and find that faith that you were going to find him. Whether it’s appropriate or not for everyone, there is a God. He listens to prayers, and prayers were answered.”
After the announcement, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell released a statement about the happy outcome, calling it “the best possible result to a very difficult situation.”
“A true sense of community and selflessness was displayed as thousands of volunteers showed up day after day to participate in the search. The great dedication, optimism and vigilance of the many people who donated their time and energy to the search and rescue effort reflects the goodness of our Commonwealth,” McDonnell, a Republican, said.
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loveliberty83
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 5:58pmI looked up the price of these trackers & then there is a monthly fee many families do not have thsi kind of money-I know one lady with twins -she works Walmart -one of her twins is autistic many of these kids just wonder off in their own little world-made my day when this little guy was found
Report Post »thejackal
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 2:17pmCool! Good news for once!
Report Post »piper60
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 9:05amPerhaps experiences like this will help the boy to come out of his shell. Never can tell.
Report Post »Atrocities
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 1:32amThank GOD that he was found and in good health. That is one tough little boy! Kudos to him, his family, and those who helped to search for him. This made my day to read that he was found alive and well. :D Thanks BLAZE.
Report Post »Bakko Bomma
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:28pmAww God bless the little guy.
Report Post »cranberry
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:18pmThank you God. That made my day yesterday when I heard he had been found.
Report Post »LovinUSA
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 10:28pmThank you lord for helping thse people find this little angel, God Bless you all for such a fine job! All is well..Peace everyone… Miracles do happen …………
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 10:58pmIt‘s interesting don’t you think? He hardly understands the things people do, but yet he understands the security of the womb and he looked for that in the wet leaves and creek-bed curled up in the fetal-position.
Report Post »ThoreauHD
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 9:28pmGreat story.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 9:33pmyes…..happy the little guy is okay
Report Post »Ananda
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 8:58pmMiracle in Hanover proves that Obama doesn’t know the American people
http://disruptthenarrative.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/miracle-in-hanover-proves-that-obama-doesnt-know-the-american-people/
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 8:00pmThank you Lord! Thank you to all of the volunteers. Glen was right… watch for miracles. I’m so glad the little boy is safe.
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 6:27pmSince I can‘t shake God’s hand, I sure would like to shake the hand of the thousands of decent folk that showed up and saved the boys life. This bud is for you.
Report Post »BJAlexandria
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 6:23pmAmen! God is good!! Thank God for answered prayers!
Report Post »JustPeachy
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 5:46pmGood to read a story with a happy ending for a change.
Thank you, God that this little boy was found and will be OK.
Report Post »Jacque
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 6:05pmAmericans are great people who come together to ALWAYS HELP. God Bless Americans and God bless this family for having their precious child home!
Report Post »Dumpster Baby
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 5:40pmMute, Autistic Boy Missing for Six Days Found Alive in Virginia Woods – Crowned Hide and Seek Champion.
Report Post »kritacul
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 5:28pm2 Things the AP fudged up on this report.
Report Post »There where THOUSANDS of volunteers pretty much EVERYDAY the boy was missing.
Also the Sheriff thanked God for answering all the prayers made out to this young man to be found and alive.
Love how the AP decided to edit those things out.
I know I live 20 mins from there and had friends out there looking for him.
Ananda
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 6:12pmExactly. Took me forever to find this uncropped version. For those interested, see his comments starting around 7:40 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z53JdrKcaN8
I watched the coverage all afternoon with Autry on NBC12 and was stunned and heart-warmed by the fact that so many were acknowledging God’s role in this!
Report Post »hookshot
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 8:29pmIt is actually sad at how the media is so anti-Christ. But guess what? The day is soon coming when they will see Him come in the clouds to take His own. You media people still have time to come to and wake up.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 5:23pmThank you God … I would hope that the family will consider getting some sort of locator to put on the boy when outside especially .. I live in Florida and more and more seniors are getting these, especially those with alzheimers or special needs such as this boy.
http://sentrysilvergps.com/faqs.php
This is just one such device I am certain that others make them also.
Again THANK YOU GOD!
Report Post »NWCarey
Posted on October 30, 2011 at 12:05amApparently, it is not uncommon for autistic children to wander away easily. There is an organization that specializes in helping families prevent them from wandering. They offer training, fencing, trackers, etc. They have already said they would give this family help. I wish I could recall the organization’s name. I just remember hearing that they would help them.
Report Post »CulpepperJosh1638
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 5:20pmI will say it is disturbing how the trend to blame the parents is becoming all the more easy from the get go these days. Sure Casey Anthony was true injustice but we live in a system where you are innocent until proven guilty. Stop gossiping America, its annoying. This is why I turned off cable.
Report Post »paulusmaximus
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 4:55pmI am glad that they have found the boy. The family are all under an extreme amount of pressure in just the day to day thing with out this.
Report Post »junior1971
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 4:55pmI gotta say I am damn proud of my fellow Americans.I just recently moved here and I can see that God has led me to a fine community.
Report Post »danboy524
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 4:53pmA special thanks to all the wall streeters who took time to….oh, ummmm, sorry…a spepcil thanks to God for answering our prayers.
Report Post »OutOnTheTiles
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 4:44pmYes, there is a God and he does listen to prayers. Sometime He doesn’t answer them the way you want but he does listen.
James 5:16, James writes:
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Report Post »Ananda
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 4:17pmBLAZE – thank you for sharing our story, but you missed one of the most important aspects of the story — how this region came together under the umbrella of FAITH in hopes of findng this boy. Glenn has said “prepare to witness miracles” and here in Hanover County and Central VA, we’re calling this “The Miracle of Hanover.” This community — in part inspired by Curt Autry who is (would you believe it) a local TV anchor on NBC12. Autry started a Prayer Circle which attracted over 5000 people. Hanover Sheriff’s Department spokesman Captain Mike Trice was steadfast and inspirational throughout the week, never wavering in his optimism that the boy would be found despite the incredible odds against us. His daily updates inspired over six thousand volunteers to come out to the scene daya after day. Facebook pages for the Sheriff’s department, NBC12, Curt Autry, and Let’s Find Robbie Wood flooded with posts from citizens offering their assistance and their prayers. Professional searchers commented that in all of their years, they had never seen a volunteer effort like the one for Robert Woods, Jr. Finally, our Sheriff, Col. David Hines, said it best at the press conference announcing that they’d located this boy alive: “Whether or not it’s appropriate for everyone…. there IS a God….. He answers prayers…. And today our prayers were answered.” As a resident of Hanover County I am comforted by the amazing community we live in. Determined, faith-filled, selfle
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 4:30pmThis is truly a “God” moment. I just wanted to let you know..after reading this story again and seeng what I missed the first time about this child being autistic..some children grow out of autism..I understand..but I read of one mother who filmed family activities and continually showed them to her autistic child.. and the child was delivered out ot her autism..
Report Post »Ananda
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 5:02pmThis is the (uncropped) press conference from our Sheriff. The others cut out all the faith stuff! Pay attention toward the end at 7:40 on…. It’s not everyday we have this kind of leadership! See the YouTube video “News conference: Missing Va boy found alive” (Uploaded by wavy) youtube dot com slash watch ? v=Z53JdrKcaN8
Report Post »Ananda
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 6:10pmBetter link for the Sheriff’s presser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z53JdrKcaN8
Report Post »bornagaincowgirl
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 6:31pmAnanda–thanks for sharing : )
Report Post »sodacrackers
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 8:53pmI agree it was a miracle, thank God and bless the little boy and his family.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 4:11pmNot too many stories like this one…end up like this…good to see!
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 4:02pmNot so sure we really needed to hear that the gov was a republican. Even tough it was at the end of the story.
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 4:22pmThe moment I saw that sweet little face and read that he was a deaf mute..I thought..this little boy just spent six days with the Lord..What do you want to bet there will be more miracles to come out of this litltle boys life.
Report Post »sodacrackers
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 8:56pmWe would have been able to tell anyway. A democrat would be proposing new laws to keep this from ever happening again.
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 4:00pmGood news!.Great story.
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