HAPPY ENDING: AUSTISTIC ROBERT WOOD JR FOUND

FOUND

THERE was a happy ending to a frantic search for an autistic boy who went missing in a huge Virginia park this week. 
As we reported here Robert Wood Jr who doesn't really talk ran off from his father and disappeared into the 80 acre park, which didn't have any fences. 
Days went by and despite the canine squad picking up his scent and a huge search by more than 1500 volunteers, he remained hidden for more than six days, concerns rising by the hour.  
But eventually their persistence paid off and he was found by a citizen volunteer  in the fetal position, still in all his clothes. 
Hanover County Sheriff David Hines: "This is a nine year old autistic child that has extremely limited communication skills and absolutely no awareness of safety concerns."
All volunteers, some of whom had personal connections to the family and some who simply were moved by the story used the "basket search" strategy, meaning police officials searched the park from one direction and then they arranged for the volunteers to search from the other direction, hoping to catch any overlooked clues.
Robert was described as "in serious but good shape" and was helicoptered lifted to the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond.
A friend of the family said: "They are so grateful to have Robbie back and they can't begin to express their gratitude to all the people who helped them.
"They'll definitely be keeping a closer eye on the little rascal in future."