3 months ago
ShareThe Cleburne County sheriff says a missing autistic teen has been found safe.
Cold and confused, but otherwise unharmed, Joshua Jeanette steped into the back of a patrol car to be taken to the hospital for a complete check.
It was around noon Monday when he ran into the woods behind his home.
Jeanette Julian, Joshua's Aunt and guardian says, "It was scary. I mean it's you're worst nightmare. You sit there wondering if he's safe, if he's fallen somewhere. And then plus it being hunting season, you've got to worry about that too."
Almost 75 volunteers on 4-wheelers searched through the woods for Josh. Dogs from the Department of Correction were brought in to try and find his scent. Helicopters even searched from above for the 16-year-old boy. But all this time survival skills he learned at a church class started kicking in.
Josh found shelter for the night. He spent it in an abandoned shed. He even used his shoelaces and twigs to try and start a fire. He later complained to the sheriff he couldn't keep the fire going because he couldn't find enough dry wood.
"On the way in I just said a little prayer. And I got to the top of the hill and there he was," says Oreatta Willis.
Willis was headed home on a county road when Josh stepped out of the woods.
Willis says, "So I turned around and went back and asked him and he said his name was Josh and that he lived on Blakey Road. So he was shaking and I just put him in the car to keep him warm."
Cleburne County Sheriff Monty Moss says dozens of searchers are resting easy tonight, "It makes you want to stop and think about what you do have and give thanks where it belongs. We're just thankful that this boy is going to get to spend Thanksgiving with his family."
Josh was dressed in only a tee shirt, jeans and hiking boots.
Authorities say tonight's colder temperatures might have put his life in danger.
Sheriff Marty Moss wants to thank all the volunteers and off-duty officers who helped with the search through the night.
