Missing boy safe thanks to a concerned citizen

A missing special needs boy was reunited with his family over the weekend with the help of a Good Samaritan in Lake Country.

RCMP received several reports Sunday of a disoriented child of 10 to 12 years of age walking along Hwy 97 near the Husky Gas Station in Lake Country. They heard he was wearing clothes that were inadequate for the sub-zero temperatures.

A concerned area resident noticed the boy wandering on his property and discovered the child had cold hands and that his clothing was wet. He immediately called police. He then brought the boy inside his home to warm up and have a glass of water.

Police later reunited the boy with his parents and learned he is actually 17-years-old and has been diagnosed with C.H.A.R.G.E Syndrome. The syndrome is described as a complex  genetic pattern of birth defects with many manifestations possible from child to child. Most have hearing loss, vision loss and balance problems that delay development and communication.

Police say the boy's parents were attending a church function in the Lake Country area and thought he was in his class at the time he wandered off. The family soon discovered the boy was not where he was supposed to be and were relieved he was found so quickly.

The RCMP say tragedy was avoided because of the help of a concerned citizen.

The boy was examined by paramedics for precautionary reasons before being released into his parent's care.