LAPEER COUNTY, MICH. Michigan State Police (MSP) Troopers from the MSP Lapeer Post and Aviation Unit worked alongside Lapeer County Sheriff’s Deputies yesterday, Memorial Day to locate a missing autistic child. The 2-year-old boy had wandered away from his residence, caregivers called 911. He was located at approximately 10:50 p.m., roughly two hours after he was reported missing.
Trooper 2, the MSP helicopter, was able to locate a heat signature in a wooded area about half mile from the residence after searching about five minutes. Trooper 2 then directed deputies, troopers, and a canine team to that area. The child was located unharmed. In all, he was missing for about two hours.
This incident is an example of the countless ways the eyes in the sky can assist officers working to keep our communities safe. Trooper 2 is equipped with state-of-the-art gear including Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) Systems, which was used in this incident to locate the child by thermal imaging. See included video.
