An 11-year-old autistic child was reported missing Sunday, July 10, after the child walked away from the family’s cottage at Turk Lake, in Montcalm Township.  A neighbor reported seeing the child walk into the woods about 11:30 a.m.

The Montcalm County Sheriff’s office utilized road patrol, marine deputies, and a K-9 unit to organize a ground search for the child. The Montcalm Township Fire Department also responded and aided in the search, along with several residents. A telephone message was broadcast using City Watch, informing area residents of the missing child.

The child was located nearly four hours later, over a half mile away, when a resident spotted the child on her property. The resident called 911 and the child was reunited with his parents by Sheriff’s deputies.