Multiple agencies were involved in a successful New Year’s Eve search for two boys reported missing from a residence near Licking.
According to Texas County Sheriff James Sigman, the two boys – ages 8 and 9 – went after a dog that had gotten loose and ran into a wooded area at about 5 p.m. Dec. 31 near their residence on Mitchell Drive northwest of Licking. Deputies were notified of the missing boys at about 7 p.m. and several agencies assisted in the search, including fire and rescue departments from Texas County, Missouri State Highway Patrol personnel and a Fort Leonard Wood search group.
Sigman said the dog was found not far from the home at about 8:45 p.m., and the boys were located at about 10:30 p.m. by the highway patrol and a neighbor about a mile-and-a-half from the residence.
“At some point the dog and the boys got separated,” Sigman said. “It was unclear what direction the boys first went.”