A community in Cumberland, Indiana, breathed a collective sigh of relief as a missing 2-year-old boy was found safe on Friday night. The Cumberland Metropolitan Police Department mobilized an urgent search for the boy after he was reported missing around 7:45 p.m. from the 100 block of North Muessing Street. In a reassuring turn of events, the child was located shortly after 10 p.m., confirming his safety and wellbeing to anxious family members and responders, as reported by WTHR.

According to WTHR, investigators said that Andrew Campo, the child in question, was last seen in the evening before his disappearance was noted. The police, after a fervent search, found him unharmed and ensured he received medical attention as a safety measure. The details of the child’s brief disappearance and exact location where he was found remain unreported, preserving a sense of privacy around the family's undoubtedly traumatic experience.

Missing children cases such as Andrew's highlight critical societal mechanisms designed to protect the most vulnerable among us. An Amber Alert, which is reserved for children under 18 believed to be abducted and in imminent danger, was not issued in this case. To trigger an Amber Alert, law enforcement must have a description of a suspect and their vehicle, which informs the public and aids in the swift recovery of the child at risk. Authorities did not seem to have such information this time, thus the criteria for an Amber Alert were not met.

On the other hand, Silver Alerts, which were traditionally used to notify the public about missing and endangered adults, have recently been broadened to include children as well. While imperative for raising public awareness, neither alert was issued before Andrew's discovery. In a statement obtained by FOX59, Cumberland Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that Andrew was found inside a home, and was being checked by medical staff out of an abundance of caution. This positive resolution, without the activation of these alert systems, is a testament to the efficacy of the immediate response by local law enforcement and the community.