Two children missing overnight found in tree stand following intense ground search

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Two children who were reported missing earlier this week were found in a tree stand following an intense ground search in Columbus County.

On Wednesday, June 18th, the mother reported two missing juveniles from her home on Country Club Trail.

According to the Columbus County Sheriff’s office, the juveniles were last seen around 9 p.m. Tuesday night.

When the children’s mother awoke Wednesday morning, they were gone. She conducted a search of the nearby area before contacting law enforcement for assistance.

The sheriff’s office say it immediately launched a coordinated response. Members of its Man Tracking Team and Criminal Investigative Division (C.I.D.) worked to search the surrounding wooded areas.

They also called the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office for assistance. Their deputies were training nearby and quickly responded with their K9 team to assist in tracking.

Using a scent article, the search team—led by Columbus County Sheriff’s Office trackers and aided by Brunswick County’s K9 “Bayard”—successfully located the juveniles in a tree stand approximately one mile from the home around noon which was approximately 15 hours after they were last seen.

Both boys were safely returned to their mother without injury.

In a Facebook post, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office praised its deputies, Man Tracking Team, C.I.D., and to Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office for their swift response and additional air support, which was en route but not needed.

“When it comes to protecting our community—especially our children—no resource is too great and no team stands alone,” said Columbus County Sheriff Bill Rogers.