By Basant El-Faramawy
A six-year-old autistic boy who vanished for two days in Kentucky was found after a muddy footprint led rescuers to his location in a wooded area near Louisa.
Disappearance and Search
Roman Heilman, a non-verbal child with autism, walked away from his parents' home around 4 p.m. on November 1. Kentucky State Police spokesperson Sherry Bray confirmed the disappearance and an IAN Alert was issued. More than 300 volunteers joined the search on foot and horseback, many singing "If You're Happy and You Know It," one of the boy's favorite songs.
Discovery and Rescue
A muddy footprint discovered by search teams led to a jacket, pants, and a diaper. Local resident Jacob Mullins, part of a horseback group, said they found the boy about a mile and a half from his house. He emerged from bushes saying "E-I-E-I-O horsey" and walked onto a horse trail. Emergency management director Travis Hughes said the boy and his dog appeared from the brush; the child was naked and covered in scratches.
Condition and Recovery
Rescuers transported Heilman to safety on horseback. Officials said he remained in a hospital as of November 4 to recover from dehydration. Hughes thanked the massive effort involving helicopters, drones, Kentucky State Police, the Kentucky National Guard, and search teams from Ohio and West Virginia, noting the overwhelming community support.
