A six-year-old boy who wandered away from his family home was found alive Tuesday after a sweeping three-day search involving hundreds of volunteers, first responders and horseback riders.
Roman Heilman, a nonverbal autistic child, disappeared from his home in Louisa, Kentucky, on Sunday afternoon.
Kentucky State Police said Roman was believed to have walked away from his parents near their home on Tadpole Road at about 4 p.m. on November 1.
He was located Tuesday by a team of horseback searchers following an extensive operation that rescuers and community members have described as a “miracle.”
Roman had scratches, apparently caused by thorny vegetation, and was found without clothing.
Search crews had earlier discovered the diapers, pants and jacket he was wearing when he went missing.
Jacob Mullins, a horse trail rider from Louisiana, and Patrick Finley, a welder from West Virginia, joined the search for Roman on Tuesday.
Mullins told the Lexington Herald-Leader that he and Finley were joined by 10 other horseback riders determined to find the missing boy.
“We were all on horses in the woods before daylight. And we rode the horses a total of 14-plus miles, trekking around trying to find him,” Mullins told the outlet.
The riders said Roman emerged from thick brush alongside a small dog about a mile and a half from his home.
“He came out of the bushes saying ‘E-I-E-I-O horsey.’ He just walked right out of the bushes over onto a horse trail,” Mullins said.
Mullins said the rescuers gave Roman water and snacks before wrapping him in a sweatshirt and carrying him down the mountain on horseback.
Kentucky State Police said Roman may have walked away from his parents on Tadpole Road at around 4 p.m. on November 1. Source: Facebook/@Jacob Mullins
K9 Search & Rescue Services of West Virginia Inc. joined local residents and other agencies in the search effort. Source: Facebook/@Jacob Mullins
Jacob Mullins, a Louisiana horse trail rider, and Patrick Finley, pictured, a West Virginia welder, said Roman emerged from the bushes beside a small dog about a mile and a half from his home. Source: Facebook/@Patrick Finley
Authorities issued an IAN Alert soon after Roman’s family reported him missing. The alert is used when a person under 18 with autism or mental illness disappears and may be in danger.
“What was witnessed the last two days was nonstop caring and a true miracle,” Lawrence County School said.
“Massive thank you needs to go to everyone who stepped up, especially Travis Hughes, the Lawrence County emergency management director, and his whole crew.”
On Monday morning, Lawrence County KY Emergency Management issued a call for volunteers to assist with the continuing search.
K9 Search & Rescue Services of West Virginia Inc. was deployed alongside local residents and other search teams.
“Alongside hundreds of first responders and volunteers we witnessed something today that words simply cannot describe. Prayers were answered, hope became reality, and a true miracle unfolded before our eyes,” K9 Search & Rescue Services of West Virginia Inc. said.
“Great things happen when people come together. Butt naked, scratched from head to toe and was still in good spirits when he come out of the bushes,” Mullins wrote in a Facebook statement.
K9 Search & Rescue Services of West Virginia Inc. said the operation required an “incredible amount of coordination, dedication, and compassion” from the community. Source: Facebook/@Roberta Endicott-Cantrell
Mullins said rescuers gave Roman water and snacks before wrapping him in a sweatshirt and carrying him down the mountain on horseback. Source: Facebook/@Jacob Mullins
Mullins told the outlet that Roman was in “good shape, just a little dehydrated” when he was handed over to medical professionals in an ambulance.
K9 Search & Rescue Services of West Virginia Inc. said the operation required an “incredible amount of coordination, dedication, and compassion.”
Over the two-day search, law enforcement officers, fire department drone operators and helicopter pilots worked together to locate the child.
“We want to acknowledge the incredible equine team who located the child and helped bring this search to the outcome we had all been praying for,” K9 Search & Rescue Services said.
“Their dedication, determination, and willingness to navigate difficult terrain were instrumental in bringing him home.”
Roman Heilman, 6, a nonverbal autistic boy, went missing from his home in Louisa, Kentucky, on November 1 and was found without clothing and covered in scratches by a team of horseback riders two days later.
A Lawrence County School spokesperson also shared a statement on Facebook celebrating the news that Roman had been found.
“So many great Lawrence County people who dropped everything to help. People gave up their own time; walked, rode, or flew over these hills; brought food and supplies in an amount unimaginable; opened their wallets to buy resources; and did whatever was asked. The people of Lawrence County showed up big-time. That’s community,” Lawrence County School wrote on Facebook.
Our News Outlet has contacted Kentucky State Police, Jacob Mullins and Patrick Finley for comment.
