The missing 11-year-old was found safe after first responders and volunteers searched through the night.
FRANKFORT, IL — Joey, the child reported missing in Frankfort, was found safe Friday morning, 13 hours after he first went missing from his home, police said.
The 11-year-old was first reported missing from the 10400 block of Brookridge Creek Drive at around 6 p.m. Thursday, before severe storms rolled through the area.
Police said that once they received the report Joey was missing, they began a large-scale search operation with numerous law enforcement agencies, search and rescue teams, emergency services personnel, drone operators and canine units.
“Despite challenging weather conditions throughout the evening and overnight hours,” crews “remained committed to locating Joey and ensuring his safe return.”
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Many volunteers also turned out to help with the search, but by early Friday, Joey remained missing.
Then, at 7 a.m., Frankfort police said they learned that Joey “had found shelter at a residence on Kluth Drive in Mokena.” That location is nearly three miles from where the boy had gone missing.
Police said the boy was unharmed and was evaluated by EMS before being reunited with his family.
“He was located unharmed and was subsequently evaluated by EMS personnel before being reunited with his family,” police said.
“The support shown throughout this incident was truly extraordinary,” said Frankfort Police Chief Leanne Chelepis. “We are incredibly grateful to our mutual aid partners, emergency responders, volunteers, and community members who assisted in the search and kept Joey and his family in their thoughts. The willingness of so many people to come together and help reflects the compassion and strength of this community. We are thankful that Joey was found safe and reunited with his family.”
Advocates for Acceptance, a non-profit that helps provide accessible playground equipment for children with special needs, called the search for Joey “an inspiring night in our community.”
The organization continued, “When word spread that a local special needs child was missing, people didn’t hesitate. Neighbors, friends, and total strangers dropped everything and came out in the dark to search with local law enforcement proving once again that we truly have the best communities around.”
