CLAYTON, Ala. (WTVM) - For nearly three days, 4-year-old Phenix Wilkerson was lost. On Sunday, he was found by a group of volunteers and reunited with his mom, Shyanne Ray and the rest of his family.
Barbour County Sheriff, Tyrone Smith, says over the course of three days, they had hundreds of volunteers who never gave up.
“Every effort that was available was put out. There were three helicopters in the air at the time. We had divers that were searching the waters. It was just a relentless effort on all parts,” said Smith.
After being found, Wilkerson was flown to a nearby hospital in Dothan for further evaluation. So far, he’s doing well. Sheriff Smith says there are still questions needing answers. Wilkerson is non-verbal autistic making it all the more difficult to find answers.
“There’s a lot of questions that we still need answers to. Thankfully, he was found alive and safe but our investigation will continue until we get some answers to some of those questions that we still have,” said Smith.
Sheriff Smith says there were multiple law enforcement agencies and nearby sheriff’s offices that helped in the search.
“None of this would have been possible without these individuals, these agencies, and volunteers. We’d like to thank the churches for preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner. All of that is from the volunteers and none of that could have been successful without each and every one of them,” said Smith.
At the hospital, the child was treated for injuries consistent with a person being outside for an extended period of time.
As of Jan. 18, the sheriff says Wilkerson is doing well and has been released from the hospital into the custody of the Department of Human Resources (DHR). He was not returned to his mother and father.
DHR is conducting a safety plan before determining where Wilkerson will go. Smith added this investigation is ongoing and still too early to say if anyone will be charged.
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