An 11-year-old non-verbal autistic boy who disappeared from a San Diego grocery store was safely rescued after wandering onto the interstate. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office acted swiftly to locate the child, reuniting him with his family, as reported by The Daily Mail.
Videos by Wide Open Country
The boy fled the store while shopping with his family, prompting an immediate response from the Santee Sheriff's Station. Deputies launched a search, supported by an ASTREA helicopter broadcasting public announcements. Around 5:15 p.m., off-duty Sheriff's Dispatcher Shiloh Corbet spotted the boy while driving home on the interstate. She quickly alerted the department's communications center.
Dramatic Rescue Unfolds
Corbet noticed the boy running toward an interstate on-ramp. She stopped her car and followed him on foot. The child reached the shoulder of the busy road, crossed the westbound lanes, and stood in the center divider, the sheriff's office reported. Corbet called out his name, provided by the communications center, and urged him to stay put for his safety.
Deputies Cody Green and Michael Moser arrived at the scene. They attempted to approach the boy on a steep embankment, but he moved away. Dramatic video captured the child, dressed in red shorts and a black t-shirt, crouching along the ramp before running onto the freeway. He hopped over an embankment, but the deputies pursued and safely secured him.
The boy was unharmed and reunited with his relieved family. No injuries were reported.
Community Effort and Autism Awareness
The sheriff's office praised the collaborative effort that led to the boy's safe return. "We thank Sheriff's Dispatcher Shiloh Corbet, Deputies Cody Green and Michael Moser, the Santee Sheriff's Station, Lakeside Sheriff's Substation, Sheriff's ASTREA, Sheriff's Communications Center, and several Good Samaritans," the department stated.
The rescue coincided with Autism Awareness Month in April. The sheriff's office highlighted its free Take Home Program, designed to assist in locating individuals with autism or dementia who wander. The program uses family-provided medical and behavioral details to tailor search efforts, ensuring a safe return.
Similar Incident in New York
The San Diego rescue followed a similar case in New York City. On April 18, a seven-year-old non-verbal autistic boy, Ruwaid Karim, vanished from a Queens restaurant. His mother, Farjana Akond, reported him missing after he walked out during breakfast. NYPD shared images of the boy on social media to aid the search.
A Good Samaritan spotted Karim walking 4.2 miles away on Manhattan's E. 61st Street. Obsessed with NYC landmarks, he was heading toward the Empire State Building. The woman intervened as he stepped into traffic, dodging honking cars to pull him to safety. She called 911, and officers reunited Karim with his mother and sister.
