Teamwork between first responder departments in Effingham County and the use of technology helped find a runaway juvenile on Sunday.
Police Chief Jeff Fuesting said city and county police officers searched for the youth after first checking several locations where the 12-year-old boy typically was known to be. He was spotted entering a cornfield.
According to a press release, the juvenile, who was considered a habitual runaway, was seen running into the cornfield at 3:44 p.m., about an hour after getting the call about the missing boy. He was collected by Effingham County Sheriff's deputies at about 5:30 p.m.
Fire Chief Joe Holomy said the juvenile entered the cornfield on Rickelman Avenue, east of Fourth Street. Holomy piloted a drone above the field and the youth was spotted and contacted. The juvenile was taken by Abbott EMS to HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital for observation.