Missing 6-Year-Old Found Safe After Two-Day Search in Kentucky

A 6-year-old boy who went missing earlier this week in rural eastern Kentucky has been found safe after an extensive two-day search. Roman Heilman, who has autism, was last seen on Sunday afternoon near his home in Louisa. He was wearing a plaid green jacket and Crocs.

Travis Hughes, the Lawrence County emergency management director, reported that Heilman often played outside and explored the nearby woods. More than 300 volunteers, including teams from Kentucky State Police, the Kentucky National Guard, and search-and-rescue crews from nearby West Virginia and Ohio, joined the search. They traversed the challenging landscape on foot and horseback. Helicopters and drones provided aerial support.

The search teams found a muddy footprint that led them to Heilman’s clothes: a jacket, pants, and a diaper. Hughes emphasized the urgency due to impending bad weather, prompting the deployment of horseback units alongside ground searchers.

Searchers used one of Heilman’s favorite songs, “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” to coax him out of hiding. On Tuesday morning, approximately a mile and a half from his home, Heilman emerged from the woods. He was naked, scratched, and accompanied by his dog. According to Hughes, the dog was likely with Heilman during his disappearance.

“He comes out right behind his dog and that’s when he pointed and said, ‘E-I-E-I O,’ and pointed to the horses,” said Hughes. “Our team then wrapped him in a blanket and provided him something to eat.”

Heilman is recovering from dehydration at a local hospital. Hughes praised the enormous community response, noting a high volunteer turnout. He mentioned that they needed to manage the influx of volunteers as the search continued.