Efforts are intensifying in Baldwin County as multiple agencies continue to search for Jeffrey Epps, a 15-year-old non-verbal autistic teenager who went missing on Monday. Epps was last seen in the Torrance Road area, as per reports from FOX 5 Atlanta. At 5-foot-3-inches tall and around 135 pounds, he was wearing a yellow shirt and gray shorts when he disappeared.
Deputy Fire Chief of Operations Bradley Towe of the Baldwin County Fire Department was on scene at Epps' home shortly after the teen was reported missing. "We got people everywhere trying to help," Towe said, as agencies, including the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Georgia State Patrol, have come together to actively join the search efforts, which were detailed in a report by 11Alive. Resources such as K9 units, thermal drones, and a FLIR-equipped helicopter have been deployed, with ATVs and UTVs also being used to navigate the challenging terrain.
The search for Epps restarted early Tuesday morning, and according to the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, was due to continue the following day, with many officials and citizens conducting searches throughout the night. The Sheriff's Office has requested residents within the Coopers Community to thoroughly check any potential hiding spots, including sheds, outbuildings, barns, campers, pools, and vehicles, to see if Epps could be located there.
Towe stressed the difficulty of the search due to the dense woods and darkness in the area, coupled with Epps' condition, which could make it challenging to make contact with him. He highlighted an additional worry: "He does like water," Towe said, significantly complicating the operation as they now have to look out for nearby ponds and creeks. If anyone spots Epps, they are advised not to approach but to instead stay quiet, call 911, and monitor him until assistance arrives, as approaching may cause him to run or become defensive, as reported by 11Alive.
Officials have made it clear that the search will not stop until he is found. If you see Epps, please call 911 immediately and avoid making direct contact as recommended by authorities.
