Non-verbal 4-year-old found safe after spending days in freezing woods, AL cops say
Four-year-old Phenix Wilkerson disappeared from home as temperatures in Alabama hit freezing.
Two days later, he was found safe in the woods, authorities said.
Wilkerson’s mother reported her autistic son missing on Jan. 12 after he vanished from their home in Clayton, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
His disappearance set off days of search-and-rescue efforts. A Facebook group called Find Phenix Wilkerson Case Discussion gained more than 4,800 members as of Jan. 16.
“I just want my baby home,” his mother said, thanking those who helped in the search. “But please don’t stop looking for him. Please let’s get my sweet boy home.”
She told WTVY that she left the residence for a few minutes around 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 12, and by the time she returned, the door was open and her son was gone.
Wilkerson’s disappearance happened as cold weather swept across the region. The Weather Channel showed the low temperatures on Jan. 12 and 13 reached 31 degrees and 27 degrees, respectively.
At around 3:15 p.m. on Jan. 14, Wilkerson was spotted. A video taken after rescuers found the red-headed boy show him with bare feet, wearing the tie-dye shirt he was reported to have on at the time he disappeared.
Wilkerson, who is reported to be non-verbal, didn’t appear too dirty when he was found, according to AL.com.
He was found safe and taken to a hospital, his mother shared.
It is not yet clear what exactly happened between the boy vanishing and being found. The Alabama Department of Law Enforcement did not share whether the investigation into his disappearance was ongoing.
Clayton is in Barbour County, about 75 miles southeast of Montgomery.