State Police Aviation Unit Assists Lapeer County Deputies in Locating Missing Toddler

(source: MSP)

Michigan State Police Troopers from the Lapeer Post and Aviation Unit worked alongside Lapeer County Sheriff’s Deputies Monday, 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 about 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.

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.

MSP Trooper 2 assisted Lapeer County Deputies and Lapeer Troopers with locating a missing autistic 2 year old boy late last night. The toddler was found safe, but well-hidden in the woods, within 5 minutes of the helicopter's arrival. Great work by all involved! pic.twitter.com/5hyU0zGmH9

— MSP Bay Region (@mspbayregion) June 1, 2021