Date: 05-14-2019
No sign of Eastern Kentucky toddler, search crew says
Crews in Magoffin County have found no sign of the 22-month-old boy who went missing Sunday night, according to the rescue squad leading the search.
Kenneth Howard was last seen by his father around 7:30 p.m., Carter Conley, chief of the Magoffin County Rescue Squad, said early Monday.
The boy’s dad was sitting on the front porch of the home and Kenneth got out through the back door, said Robert Prater, director of Magoffin County Emergency Management and a friend of the family.
As of 6 p.m., almost a full day since Kenneth went missing, crews had found no sign of the boy, said Ritt Mortimer, public information officer for the rescue squad.
“It’s a bad situation. It really is,” Prater said. “For a child that size to be gone this long, it’s rough.”
The South Magoffin Fire Department was called directly by Kenneth’s family after he went missing, Mortimer said. The fire department searched for about 30 minutes without finding the boy. A call was then made to emergency dispatch and that alerted the rescue squad, Magoffin County Sheriff’s Department and Kentucky State Police, Mortimer said.
The search has been concentrated in the southern end of Magoffin County about one mile from the Floyd County border, Conley said.
The rescue squad used a drone with thermal imaging from Pike County Emergency Management Sunday night, according to Conley. Search dogs arrived Monday morning, he said.
Two helicopters have also been used in the search, said Mortimer.
The search from the rescue squad was called off around 7 a.m. so crews could regroup and get more help. Their search resumed around 11 a.m. Monday, Conley said. He is not asking the public’s help searching for Kenneth.
“We have experienced people right now and that’s what we are relying on. We are using our trained resources,” Conley said.
Vicky Wireman Howard, Kenneth’s aunt, said hundreds of volunteers were doing ground searches.
Prater said there has been an outpouring of friends and family trying to help. Kenneth’s family is tore up, he said.
“Not knowing where he’s at, not knowing what happened … everyone is trying to be optimistic,” Prater said. “They’re hoping for the best.”
By Mike Stunson and Ryan Hermens
Lexington Herald-Leader
Shouldn’t there be an amber alert out?
Why is there not been a Amber Alert put out for him
Amber alerts are not typically issued unless there is a reason to believe that the child was abducted. and usually involves a description of a person, such as non-custodial parent or even a stranger seen with or near the child, and also description of a car and license plate number they may be traveling in. unless someone comes forward and says they witnessed someone with the child, they probably wont issue one.
Prayers he is found safe.
Prayers for the toddler to be found safe, also Prayers for the family and everyone searching for that baby. 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️🙏🎈
Praying for safety for that little boy and that he is found quickly! Also praying for the family for courage and strength!
I pray no harm has come to the child.
God Bless this child and Family, We will be Praying for his safe reunion !!!