Missing Va. autistic boy found alive after 6-day search

By: Casey Glynn
Topics: Daily Blotter ,; Missing

Robert Wood Jr.

/ WUSA

(CBS/AP) DOSWELL, Va. - Police say the Hanover County autistic boy who was missing for six days has been found alive.

Police say 8-year-old Robert Wood Jr. was found Friday afternoon near the park where he was separated from his family.

At a press conference this afternoon, Hanover County Sheriff David Hines said the boy was found in a creek bed in the fetal position around 2 p.m. Friday and reunited with his family. Wood was in good condition but taken to a hospital.

The boy is in the emergency room being evaluated and treated, according to CBS affiliate WTVR.

Adam Warman of the Faison School for Autism told WTVR that students at the school were overjoyed when the announcement that their classmate had been found was made over the loudspeaker.

"They started yelling and cheering, and crying," said Warman.

The boy, who does not speak, was reportedly found by a citizen volunteer at a quarry about a mile from North Anna Battlefield Park where he disappeared Sunday, Oct. 23. Police say Robert had been hiking with his father, younger brother and his father's girlfriend.

Wood was the focus of an intense search involving thousands of volunteers around the park.

More on Crimesider
October 27, 2011 - Search continues for missing autistic boy Robert Wood Jr. in Va.
October 25, 2011 - Police seeking the public's help in search of 9-yr-old missing autistic boy in Va.

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by hidegirlgcks October 31, 2011 12:17 PM EDT: Thank goodness! a happy ending for once!!; Reply to this comment

by Voo__ October 31, 2011 11:48 AM EDT

Would someone please teach the news media to use person first language?!! "Child with autism"! As a parent, I do want to be able to chip my son. Anything on clothing he could remove and he would not put up with those silly bracelets.

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by Voo__ October 31, 2011 12:44 PM EDT: If he is like my son, he never stops moving. Therefore an area they already searched, he could have circled back to...they are really lucky they ever found him.


by ahendryx819 October 31, 2011 11:26 AM EDT: I'm so glad they found him alive!!! I just can't believe that it took 8 days to find him in the same area that he disappeared from...kind of a half-assed search, if you ask me...; Reply to this comment


by AnnieDanny October 29, 2011 11:35 PM EDT: What good news! I'm so glad they found the child. Bless that volunteer who joined the search, and all the others who also helped. Obviously they saved his life.; Reply to this comment


by weknowanautisticsuperhero October 29, 2011 8:25 PM EDT: People and children with Autism can certainly be mentally retarded, but that is not necessarily the case. Non-verbal Autism doesn't necessarily equate to mental retardation either. I know of a boy who has Autism. He is certainly not mentally retarded. (To assume people with mental issues, including retardation, are stupid demonstrates a real lack of understanding.) This Autistic boy I know is in the Gifted program at his school. He's approximately three grades ahead of his peers. Additionally, after being badly treated and teased, this same boy said to his parents, "I love everyone—even if they are hard to love." If this boy is representative of everyone with Autism, then I think the world would be far better off if we all had it. And if we don't have it, maybe we still have something to learn from those who do.

It is the parents' responsibility to take care of their children regardless of the children's physical and mental capabilities or limitations. But with Autistic children, watching them is especially difficult—particularly if the child is non-verbal. Let's say the family is at a park with a number of people. The parents could end up talking to someone for a minute, get distracted for just a moment. Even if the child's at their side, the child can easily get diverted in thought and wander away without making a sound. Maybe one could argue that the parents shouldn't let this happen, but then no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. Thankfully making a mistake isn't always criminal. Isn't it responsible for parents to look for their missing child and if they're not successful, ask for help?

I believe that this boy that was lost and now is found, may have the answer to the problems that have plagued mankind from the beginning of time. It's our loss if we don't figure out how to reach this boy and help him teach us what he already knows.

The thing about people with physical and mental issues is that they didn't choose this for themselves. Judging them for a condition that they had no control over is myopic. Autism, and any other handicap, may not be a choice, but ignorance is. Hopefully one day we will discover a cure for both.; Reply to this comment


by Cottrellk1 October 29, 2011 8:58 AM EDT: It doesn't take a genious to keep a watchful eye over your child. I know they can get away quickly, but I will knock anyone over that is in my way, so that I can reach him. Furthermore, your missing the point. There are way too many parents in this world that just don't care, are distracted or just ignorant when it comes to actually being a parent. Just like the Memphis 3 kids that were murdered. What do you think is going to happen when you let your 8 year olds go off into the woods to play? Yes, the horrible people that commit these crimes are responsible, but typically how do they get a hold of a child?? I am very glad that he was found, but one would think that it's probably not a great idea to take, not one, but two autistic children to the woods. Gimme a break!; Reply to this comment

by skithebumps October 29, 2011 6:28 AM EDT

Thank God. He looks like such sweet kid. Home again, safe at last.

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by HolyVoice October 29, 2011 11:47 AM EDT: Yes. Thank the Lord God Almighty!


by Valhalla0907 October 29, 2011 5:58 AM EDT: Our community in Kentucky recently lost and found autistic child in the woods. He was located in the nick of time. He has been outfitted with a GPS bracelet that is very difficult to remove.; Reply to this comment

by Pearl_Moon October 29, 2011 1:07 AM EDT

Cheers to you Robert !!!

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by Voo__ October 31, 2011 11:49 AM EDT: So true! Two found safe recently! :)


by MegaProcrastination October 29, 2011 12:54 AM EDT: This is great to know! I'm so glad this story got a happy ending--there are way too few of those.; Reply to this comment