Rescue crews have recounted the moments before and after discovering Kenneth Howard, the 22-month-old Kentucky boy who was found alive three days after disappearing on Mother’s Day.
Howard was reportedly found Wednesday afternoon, sitting on a 50-foot incline at an abandoned mine which is located approximately 1,755 feet from his Salyersville home. Magoffin County police said the toddler was dehydrated but in good condition given the circumstances of his disappearance.
According to Lexington Herald-Leader, rescuers with Prestonsburg Fire Department were doing a grid search when they heard Howard’s cries at around 2 p.m. Wednesday.
WSAZ reported that used a basket and rope to rescue Howard from the treacherous area.
“As we were coming down, we were fortunate that he had heard us and screamed out,” Prestonsburg Fire Chief Michael Brown told the Herald-Leader. “One of our guys heard him scream and at that point we all got quiet and a couple of guys started calling his name. Sporadically he was calling out, we found the location of the sound and went back and he was just sitting there.”
Following his rescue, the 22-month-old repeatedly said, “Here all night,” according to WSAZ.
“I have been on a lot, and this is one of few that were successful,” Carter Conley, chief of the Magoffin County Rescue Squad, told the news station. “I’m very thankful this one was successful. It was all a team effort.”
An investigation into Howard’s disappearance is ongoing but his family said they believe he walked out the back door.
WKYT reported that the team who rescued the toddler is expected to make a statement on Thursday afternoon.
[Featured image: Kenneth Howard/Handout]
