TX-Boy 13 missing in Sam Houston National Forest 03/01/09(Found)

[Tonia]

Boy missing in Sam Houston National Forest

There's a search for a junior ROTC member who disappeared in thick woods in Walker County.
The 13-year-old boy was among 200 people taking part in a navigational exercise yesterday. Investigators say he went into the Sam Houston National Forest with a map and a compass, but never returned from the exercise.
Organizers say it should have taken him 30 minutes. They say the boy was not dressed for the cold temperatures and has no cell phone.
Volunteers have been looking for the boy all night long, but there is still no sign of him.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=6685508

[lizzybeth]

I'm curious as to why they weren't sent out in groups or at least with a partner. Not only could a 13 year old get lost but there's too many crazies hanging out in National Parks and Forests.

I hope they find him safe and sound...soon.

[CrimeHater]

http://www.click2houston.com/news/18831296/detail.html

It was really close to freezing last night. I hope this poor boy is okay...
Pretty much says close to the same as the first article.

[nursebeeme]

fwiw, it was most likely on a land nav course (land navigation) and he wandered off course. You have set points to find and you mark them down as you find them and it is usually a test..it was at the college rotc level and is in the army active duty. I hope they find him soon!

[Megs]

http://www.click2houston.com/news/18831296/detail.html

He was found!! I love good news!

[Beyond Belief]

I am overjoyed to hear this great news!!!!!!!!!!

[Tonia]

Thank you Megs! Im really happy to hear this!:Jumpie:

[lawlady84]

Thank God he was found! Great search effort by LE over there, bravo! :)

[TGIRecovered]

I learned at the age of ten to never, ever go hiking in the boonies without basic survival gear (nighttime weather appropriate clothing, xtra water) in case of injury or disorientation, even if you plan to be back well before dark. It seems to me that this would be common sense, especially if you are an adult in charge of a group of kids, and sending them out alone without any way to call for help!

The article says he was expected back by 11:45 AM. They didn't report him missing untill 5:00 PM! Sounds like some adults were more concerned with trying not to appear incompetent than bringing the boy home before nightfall.

Susan

[lizzybeth]

:woohoo:

[DBinMA]

I get a lot of criticism from other parents because ALL of my children have cell phones (they're 16, 15 and 13). My oldest and youngest rarely go anywhere but my middle son does multiple sports, student government and band, he's never home. The first day of school my husband was expecting to meet him at school, bring him his dinner and drive him to band after my husband was done teaching after school music lessons. Our son showed up, said "I'll be right back" and disappeared for an hour and a half, my husband didn't worry too much until it was time to go to band and no son. He looked and called everywhere, after calling his cell phone for the 2nd time, we were just getting ready to call the police when the phone finally woke my son from a sound sleep in the auditorium seats, crouched down where he couldn't be seen in the same room as my husband. Who knows how many police would have been looking for how lost for a boy who wasn't really lost and all it took was a cell phone. I'm a firm believer in cell phones. It was a terrifying experience. I certainly wouldn't send my son into woods without a cell phone.