MISSING GRIGGSVILLE TEEN FOUND SAFE AFTER LARGE MULTI-AGENCY SEARCH

GRIGGSVILLE, Illinois — A missing 17-year-old with autism was found safe Monday night following an extensive search involving law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency personnel and community volunteers.

The Pike County, Illinois Sheriff’s Department was notified at approximately 5:40 p.m. that the teenager had been missing from his home on South Stanford Street for more than an hour. Multiple agencies and volunteers responded and searched Griggsville and the surrounding area for approximately three-and-a-half hours.

The teenager was located at approximately 9:11 p.m. inside a vacant residence near his home. Authorities said he appeared unharmed but was taken to Illini Community Hospital for evaluation.

The response included the Pike County Sheriff’s Department, Pittsfield Police Department K-9 Unit, Griggsville Fire Department and several other emergency and volunteer search teams.

Pike County Sheriff David Greenwood thanked the agencies and community members who assisted, praising the cooperation that led to the teenager being found safely.

IMAGE: Pike County Sheriff’s Department photograph or a general photograph of emergency vehicles in Griggsville.