MARIPOSA — What began as a heart-wrenching report ended happily today when a missing toddler was located safely in Mariposa.
At 8:39 a.m. this morning, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a two-and-a-half-year-old boy named Hayden who was missing in the Oak Grove area of Mariposa County.
The toddler had reportedly been seen last in the 4000 block of Oak Grove Road with a German Shepherd puppy and a pit bull.
The Sheriff’s Office says 10 deputies and detectives and 20 Search and Rescue (SAR) team members searched for the child, along with CHP Helicopter H40, CHP Air41 Plane, and 10 to 15 members of Hayden’s own family. CHP H40 used their PA system to call out for Hayden.
Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office deputies and SAR
The Sheriff’s Office now confirms that, about three hours after Hayden was reported missing, he was located approximately one mile from his house, in very steep terrain. Hayden was found by his grandfather and a team of SAR members. Once the toddler was located, CHP H40 gave him “an ecstatic shout out and turned on their siren for him.”
Search and Rescue Coordinator Sergeant Chris Ramirez carried Hayden back to his parents. At about noon, the S.O. posted, “Hayden is healthy and great! He is now with his mom.”
The Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the support of the community, noting that within hours their social media posts had over 800 shares, and they appreciate people getting the word out quickly.
“Because we know everyone is wondering,” the S.O. adds, “Yes — the puppy and the pit bull were still with him.”
Photos and video courtesy of Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office
CHP H40 Flying their search patterns
Posted by Mariposa County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, March 2, 2017
