Search & Rescue for Autistic Juvenile, Dec. 9

News release from the Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office. On December 6th, 2015, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to a location on Old River Rd near Siletz, OR for a missing 15yo named Daniel Reed who suffers from Autism. Reed had left home early that morning at about 6:00am. Upon discovering him missing, family members contacted law enforcement for assistance. At about 11:00am, deputies were in the area and checking likely places he may have gone. Lincoln County SAR Coordinator Deputy Bruce McGuire was contacted and activated the Lincoln County Search and Rescue Team to respond. Searchers along with family members searched the area starting at the home and working down Old River Rd toward the town of Siletz. Information on the search was placed on social media and responses back gave searchers several leads to follow up on but no indication as to the location of Daniel Reed. The searchers worked until 830pm searching for Reed and could not locate him. Due to weather and darkness and the safety of the searchers, the search was suspended until the following morning. Resources from the community and SAR teams from four surrounding counties were contacted to assist in the search the following morning. Searchers from Lane, Tillamook, Benton and Polk County Sheriff’s Office were contacted and agreed to respond. On December 7, 2015, searchers met at the Siletz Fire Department and were driven to the scene to start the search. Members of the community were sent to search the business and residential areas in Siletz to look for Reed. Sheriff’s Office searchers were placed into teams and given search assignments to to expand the areas searched from the previous day. At 10:53am, Toledo Police Dispatch received a call from a Toledo Library worker reporting a young male was at the location wet and cold. The caller reported he allowed the juvenile into the library to warm up. Toledo Police Officers responded to the Library and confirmed that it was Daniel Reed. Family was contacted and were told to respond to the Toledo Police Station where Reed was now located. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office were assisted by the Toledo Police Department, Siletz Fire Department, Benton County SAR, Lane County SAR, Polk County SAR, Tillamook Co SAR, and the many members of the Siletz community who had came out on their own to assist in finding Daniel Reed and bringing him home safe. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the agencies and the community of Siletz for their support. SAR Coordinator Deputy Bruce McGuire stated “It was a good ending to a potential bad situation, involving a young person who was not dressed for the weather. The weather conditions were very wet and windy causing concerns for Daniel’s safety and those searching for him. The community of Siletz was very helpful in this search, and their support for searchers in the field.”