Autistic Boy Lost During Wilderness Hike in West Virginia
An 18-year-old autistic teen is lost in the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area this morning. Jacob Allen of Morgantown, West Virginia was hiking with his parents on Sunday when he took off ahead of them and didn’t respond when his parents called for him.
Over 50 emergency workers and volunteers are searching for him today. Jacob’s parents describe him as being severely autistic but in good physical shape. The teen has hiked that area in the Monongahela National Forest many times with his family before. The terrain does include some steep inclines and thick brush.
Jacob was in the forest alone all night, with temperatures dropping to 38 degrees. It is not believed that Jacob has any survival equipment – food, water, flashlight – with him. The current temperature is rising and the weather is expected to be clear and sunny – good news for rescue workers and the family. Currently search dogs and National Guard helicopters are helping with the search.
From Associated Press.
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October 18th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Someone should try contacting Shadow Wolves. An elite tracking team for the US Customs.
I’ve read that the Shadow wolves are the best trackers in the world. Why hasnt anyone tried contacting these people? They tracked a missing boy years ago who was lost in Covered Wells, they found him alive.
My heart and prayers go out to the mother and father of this child.
I. Randolph
Mother of an Autistic child
October 18th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
[…] Just a quick note to let you all know that Jacob Allen, the teenager lost in the Monongahela National Forest on Sunday has been found after four days of searching. He has been reunited with his family and officials say that a news conference will be held this evening. No details on where he was found or his health condition were given. […]