Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence north of Chino Valley early Saturday morning after a homeowner reported a child they did not recognize arrived at their home, disoriented and suffering from the cold. YCSO officials say an investigation and prior knowledge of the child allowed them to quickly identify the 12-year-old boy, who they knew had autism.
They report the boy was spending the night at a friend’s house but decided he wanted to return home. While he did not wake or verbally warn anyone he was leaving, he did leave a note. After leaving, he became lost and cold and sought help at the reporting party’s home. Medical personnel evaluated the boy and cleared him, after which deputies returned him to his parents’ care.
YCSO officials want to take this opportunity to bring awareness to the Autism Elopement Alert Form, which provides first responders with critical information in similar scenarios.