It took a village nearly as large as his hometown, but a Becker boy is safe after going missing on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Ethan Haus, 6, of rural Becker/Clear Lake disappeared around 4 p.m. with his dog, Remme. He was last seen coming off the bus and running to play with his pup, witnesses said, but he never returned to his home for dinner or the evening routine.
As the hours passed, temperatures dropped and darkness settled in, the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office asked for neighbors and volunteers to help search. They came en masse, with more than 600 people helping in the mission to find Ethan and Remme.
What unfolded Tuesday night was a “community effort,” said Sheriff Joel Brott. Helicopters, dogs and drones were used in the search. Finally, a drone with thermal-scanning equipment was able to spot the boy and the dog in a cornfield near the home. The drone operator – Steven Fines – was given a radio to communicate with deputies leading the search, and four officers and the boy’s father found him shortly before 2 a.m. today, Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Here’s a complete recap from CBS station WCCO:
“Ethan was cold, but was in otherwise good health when we found him,” Brott said. “It’s a happy ending. This is the epitome of a community caring for its own. The outpouring of volunteers and support to find a boy and his dog was very heartwarming.”