CHILLICOTHE – A missing child in Wapello County was found by authorities yesterday afternoon.

The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office asked for public assistance yesterday afternoon after the child was reported missing at 1:37pm. A parent had reported their 6-year-old, non-verbal, autistic child as missing, and a coordinated grid search was launched on their property and surrounding areas with the assistance of multiple responding agencies. The report originated just west of the Chillicothe Power Plant.

The child, who was identified as “Gus” by authorities, was eventually located about two and a half hours later, at approximately 4:00pm. He was found roughly 0.36 miles from the residence, about 12 feet up in a tree, according to the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, and safely removed without incident. After a medical check, he was cleared and reunited with family.

Agencies that assisted during the search included Wapello County Emergency Management, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Emergency Management, Jefferson County Emergency Management, the Iowa State Patrol, the Ottumwa Police Department, the Eddyville Fire Department, Wapello County Rural Fire, and ORMICS.