Sheriff: 3-year-old found in woods says he hung out with a bear
Casey Hathaway (Photo: Craven County Sheriff's Office)
CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. (WSET) -- Authorities in North Carolina say a three-year-old boy who was missing for two days has been found alive in good health.
In a news release Thursday night, FBI spokeswoman Shelley Lynch says Casey Hathaway was found by professional search and rescue crews near Cayton, North Carolina.
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The sheriff said searchers responding to a tip heard Casey calling for his mother. Grier found him around 50 yards (45 meters) into the woods, entangled in briars.
"We responded on a tip, located by voice this young man, went to him, disentangled him from some briars he was hung up in, brought him out, here we are," said Capt. Shane Grier with Chocowinity EMS. "He was cold but he was verbal in command to us. The more we warmed him up, the more active he became. For the conditions, I think he fared pretty well."
It's unclear where the three-year-old was during the two days and how he stayed safe.
Investigators said there is no sign Casey was abducted and he was wearing the same clothes.
Police said Casey told them he spent two days hanging with a bear.
Hospital officials said the boy was in good condition and would be released either late Friday or Saturday.
Casey's mother said he already asked if he could watch Netflix.
At a press conference late Thursday night, Casey's parents hugged the first responders and thanked them for finding their son.
The boy was playing with two other children in his grandmother's backyard in Ernul on Tuesday, but didn't come inside with them.
