Lost toddler found safe

SAGLE — A frightening morning for one local family had a happy ending after a toddler went missing in the woods Tuesday.

Sheriff Daryl Wheeler said emergency personnel and community members mobilized after the family reported a two-year-old toddler hand wandered into the woods about 9 a.m. Within an hour and a half, the young boy was discovered and brought back home.

“He was just an adventurous little guy who decided to go off on his own,” Wheeler said.

The incident occurred in Sagle near Gun Club  and Spades roads. According to Wheeler, the family was at home when the young boy managed to slip away, exit through the front door and make his way into the surrounding forest. When the family realized the boy was gone, they immediately called the authorities. According to Wheeler, their quick action may have made the difference in finding him as quickly as authorities did.

Once sheriff’s department personnel arrived on scene, they immediately set up a search grid throughout the surrounding forest. Fortunately, they had plenty of support to aid their search as community members turned out to join in the effort, Wheeler said. Priest River Search and Rescue also offered up a trained dog to pick up the boy’s scent.

Emergency response teams were prepared to mobilize much more expansive resources to help find the missing child, Wheeler said. Search and rescue teams were mobilized, and air support pilots were prepared to take off for air reconnaissance. However, search parties found the missing boy before any additional help was needed.

The family was overjoyed to have him safely returned, Wheeler said.

“They were pretty distraught throughout the whole ordeal, and they were just so happy once he was back,” he added.

According to Wheeler, it was extremely fortunate his office was notified of the situation so quickly. The time frame allowed emergency responders to reach the scene quickly and set up the search before the trail went cold.

“In these situations, sooner is always better,” he said. “As soon as you know that someone is missing, make sure you call dispatch.”