The child, April Eubanks, was found shortly before 2 p.m. on the banks of the Roanoke River near King Street in the county seat, Lieutenant Bobby Martin said. The child did not appear to be injured.
Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad members.
“Some of the volunteer firefighters saw her on the riverbank,” said Martin. “This couldn't have been done without everyone's help. A big thank you goes out to everyone of them.”
More than 100 people, including law enforcement, EMS, Wildlife, the state Highway Patrol and volunteer firefighters began a search for the child around 9:30 a.m. after she had wandered off while playing at family's house on Dobbs Street.
The child, who was visiting family members with her adoptive mother, was being watched by a male family member who had to go in to talk to the child's mother.
When they went back outside the child, who has autism, had wandered off.
The state Highway Patrol helicopter.
A state Highway Patrol helicopter circled the area while members of the state Department of Correction used its Prison Emergency Response Team and bloodhounds. The sheriff's office also deployed one of its dogs.
The sheriff's office, Martin said, was prepared to conduct a large scale ground search for the child before she was found.
Martin said emergency responders were prepared for a more complex search since the child's communication skills were not well. “Not being able to cry out because she is autisti,c we put so much effort into this to make sure the child is OK.”
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