A 13-year-old boy, Gideon Gathu, reported missing in Cobb County has been located and is confirmed to be safe. Earlier, Cobb County Police had initiated an intensive search for Gideon, after their patrol and special units were dispatched to the vicinity of Autumn Leaves Lane near Blackwell Road and Ebenezer Road NE, as per FOX 5 Atlanta.

The young teenager, diagnosed with autism, sparked community concern following a social media post by the police shortly before 2 p.m.; the post detailed the search operation, and it encouraged local residents to aid in finding the young Gideon described as 5-feet-2-inches tall, weighing between 70 and 80 pounds, and last seen wearing a blue shirt with black and blue checkered shorts, riding a blue BMX bike with blue and purple rims.

In a swift resolution to a situation fraught with anxiety for the family and community members, the police succesfully concluded their search. The efforts to locate Gideon culminated positively as confirmed by 11Alive, details regarding the state of the boy or the exact circumstances of how he was located remain unreported at this moment.

Cobb County Police have not released additional information pertaining to Gideon's discovery but the community breathes a sigh of relief with news of his safety, the shared concern of local residents was palpable as they awaited updates; and now expressed through collective comfort, knowing that the vulnerable teenager is out of harm's way and back under the care of those who hold him dear.