8-Year-Old Boy Is Missing In Sauk County
TOWN OF REEDSBURG, Wis. -- An 8-year-old boy has been reported missing in Sauk County.
The Sheriff's Department identified the boy as Joseph D. Anderson. Deputies responded to a call for a missing child on South Oak Crest Drive in the Town of Reedsburg at 9 p.m. on Wednesday and learned the boy had disappeared several hours earlier. Anderson was last seen around 3 p.m., authorities said.
Chief Deputy Richard "Chip" Meister said there is no concern of abduction at this time.
Officials with the state Department of Justice issued an endangered missing persons alert at around noon on Thursday. They said that the alert isn't an Amber Alert. The Justice Department's alert went to police across Wisconsin as well as hospitals, shopping malls and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The State Department of Justice has issued a statewide endangered missing persons alert for an 8-year-old Sauk County boy.
The Sauk County Sheriff's Department said Joseph Anderson's father reported him missing around 9 p.m. Wednesday. Dispatcher Randy Huelsemann said the boy was last seen at about 3 p.m. when he went outside alone to play on South Oak Crest Drive in the Town of Reedsburg.
Deputies responded to a call for a missing child on South Oak Crest Drive in the Town of Reedsburg at 9 p.m. on Wednesday and learned the boy had disappeared several hours earlier. Anderson was last seen around 3 p.m., authorities said.
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Officials with the state Department of Justice issued an endangered missing persons alert at around noon on Thursday. They said that the alert isn't an Amber Alert. The Justice Department's alert went to police across Wisconsin as well as hospitals, shopping malls and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Huelsemann said that the boy has no history of wandering away and his parents have no idea what could have happened. He said they've had several reports from citizens who might have seen someone resembling him.
Anderson was last seen wearing a red, short-sleeve shirt and red shorts with black stripes. He is about 4 feet tall with light brown hair. He wasn't wearing shoes. Authorities said he is described as a friendly person.
His family said Anderson has obsessive–compulsive disorder and because of that, he likes to always have a glass of water, and he loves being around water in general. His family said he needs medication for a bladder infection.
A massive search is now underway as dozens of people by the bus load are doing all they can to bring Anderson home. The area being searched is a rough one, with very dense woods, marsh land and the Baraboo River running through it, WISC-TV reported.
A five-mile radius is being searched by foot and in the air.
"Currently we have the Civil Air Patrol as well as a ground search taking place," Meister said.
"I'm worried because I'm afraid that he's going to get hurt. Or something's going to attack him, like wild animals or something," said Bobbi Jo Schmidt, Anderson's friend.
The boy's grandfather, Bun Anderson, said he fears the worst but is hoping for the best. He said Anderson loved to play in the yard and never wandered off before.
"No, (he doesn't wander off). He's quiet, very quiet; but smart -- awfully smart," Bun Anderson said.
"We don't believe there is foul play. (He might've just) run out of the house, and we're looking for him," Meister said.
There has been a large outpouring of support from the community, WISC-TV reported. Sheriff's officials said they hope the extra help from volunteers will bring Anderson home even sooner.
"We've had great support from the community as far as the people who have showed up. We've been able to make a lot of groups, search groups, and get those out," Meister said.
Sheriff's officials have decided to take school buses filled with volunteers out to search until 7 p.m. Thursday.
About 200 searchers have been bussed out so far in about 10 buses, WISC-TV reported.
Search groups will also head out at 7 a.m. Friday, and the Sheriff's Department is looking for volunteers. Those who want to help are asked to report to the RACA Center on Viking Drive in Reedsburg and to dress appropriately. Authorities said that because of the rough terrain, children won't be allowed to help.
The Sauk County Sheriff's Office said that anyone who has seen the child, they should call the Sauk County Sheriff's Office at 608-355-4495.
Amber Alert Not Issued
The State Department of Justice issued a statewide endangered missing persons alert, which is one level below an Amber Alert.
Authorities said this case simply does not meet the criteria needed to issue an Amber Alert.
To issue an Amber Alert, authorities must have reason to believe the child has been abducted, which doesn't appear to be the case right now.
Local law enforcement would also have to request an Amber Alert. In this case, neither the police nor county have asked for the alert to be issued. If they do request an Amber Alert, the state would step in to determine if one is warranted.
Also, for an Amber Alert to be issued, the child must be 17 or younger and in danger of danger of serious injury or death. There also must be enough information about the child, the suspect and/or the suspect's vehicle.
The U.S. Department of Justice said Amber Alerts should be reserved for cases that meet these specific criteria and that overuse of Amber Alerts could result in the public becoming desensitized to alerts when they are issued in cases of abduction.
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