GATESILLE (August 3, 2009)—A 7-year-old autistic boy reported missing by his mother at about 2 a.m. Monday has been found safe and sound after an exhaustive search.

The boy was found at about 4:30 a.m.

The child’s mother called Coryell County Sheriff’s Deputies after an initial search by family members and neighbors.

Officers, assisted by firefighters from the Gatesville Fire Department and members of the local Civilian Emergency Response Team (CERT), responded and began to search for the child.

After 2 searches of the home and property; and a hasty search of the immediate area, the search management team began a perimeter search of the area and simultaneously began a grid search.

Soon after the grid search began, firefighters found the boy alive and well.

When found, he was sitting in the middle of a cul de sac, playing with 5 small dogs.

He was immediately reunited with his mother, given a medical exam to verify his health status, and given a ride home in the fire truck home.

The child told searchers he had heard a number of dogs barking, and he loves dogs so he went to investigate.