A six-year-old boy who wandered from his family home was found alive on Tuesday after a massive three-day search that included volunteers on horseback.
Roman Heilman, 6, a non-verbal autistic boy, went missing from his home in Louisa, Kentucky, on Sunday afternoon.
The child was believed to have walked away from his parents near his home on Tadpole Road around 4pm on November 1, according to Kentucky State Police (KSP).
He was found by the team of horse riders on Tuesday after an extensive search that is now being hailed as a ‘miracle’.
He had scratches, believed to be from thorny plants, and was found without clothing.
Rescue crews initially found Roman’s diapers, pants and jacket that he wore the day he went missing.
Jacob Mullins, a Louisiana horse trail rider, and Patrick Finley, a West Virginia welder, teamed up to help search for the boy on Tuesday.
Mullins told the Lexington Herald-Leader, he and Finley were accompanied by a team of ten horse trail riders all eager to find Roman.
‘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.
They told the outlet the non-verbal boy walked straight out into the bushes, alongside a small dog about a mile and a half away 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 told the outlet.
Mullins explained to the outlet that they provided water and snacks to Roman before wrapping him up in a sweatshirt and carrying him on horseback down the mountain.
According to Kentucky State Police department, the child may have walked away from his parents on Tadpole Road around 4pm on November 1. Source: Facebook/@Jacob Mullins
The K9 Search & Rescue Services of West Virginia Inc were deployed to the area with other local residents. Source: Facebook/@Jacob Mullins
Jacob Mullins, a Louisiana horse trail rider, and Patrick Finley, (pictured) a West Virginia welder, said the non-verbal boy walked straight out the bushes, alongside a small dog about a mile and half away from his home. Source: Facebook/@Patrick Finley
An IAN Alert, used for when children under the age of 18 with autism or mental illness go missing and may be in danger, was issued shortly after his family alerted authorities.
‘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, the Lawrence County KY Emergency Management sent an announcement recruiting volunteers to aid their ongoing search efforts.
The K9 Search & Rescue Services of West Virginia Inc was deployed to the area with other local residents.
‘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. explained that the search took an ‘incredible amount of coordination, dedication, and compassion,’ from their community. Source: Facebook/@Roberta Endicott-Cantrell
Mullins explained that they provided water and snacks to Roman before wrapping him up in sweatshirt and carrying him on horseback down the mountain. Source: Facebook/@Jacob Mullins
Mullins confirmed to the outlet that when he left Roman with medical professionals in an ambulance he was in ‘good shape, just a little dehydrated.’
K9 Search & Rescue Services of West Virginia Inc. explained that the search took an ‘incredible amount of coordination, dedication, and compassion.’
They explained that over the two-day time period, law enforcement, fire department drone operators and helicopter pilots all came together for the search mission.
‘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 non-verbal autistic boy, went missing from his home in Louisa, Kentucky on November 1 and was found naked and full of scratches by a team of horse riders two days later
A Lawrence County School spokesperson wrote a statement on Facebook celebrating the announcement of Roman being 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; open 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 in a Facebook statement.
The Daily Mail has reached out to KSP, Jacob Mullins and Patrick Finley for comments.
