Earlier this week, a 2-year-old boy who went missing from his home in Seligman was located after a 16-hour search. According to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, the child had wandered away from his home on Monday afternoon. A large-scale search effort was initiated, with over 40 search and rescue members, along with deputies from the Sheriff's Office, DPS, DPS rangers, and Coconino County Sheriff's deputies, all participating in the search.
Despite the difficult terrain and the presence of mountain lions, as confirmed by the DPS ranger rescue helicopter during the search, the boy survived overnight. Early on Tuesday, a rancher living about 7 miles from the child’s home found him after his dog, likely sensitive to the child's presence, led him back to the property. The rancher informed the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office that the boy had slept under a tree.
The outcome of this situation was supported by the dog, Buford, who helped guide the boy to the ranch and kept him safe. The rancher, upon finding the child, recognized him as the missing boy and contacted authorities. According to the rancher's account, the boy mentioned that he had slept under a tree during the night.
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office acknowledged the contributions of law enforcement personnel, search teams, and the community during the search. Additionally, they noted the role of Buford, whose actions were significant in the search process.
