CORDOVA — A boy who was reported missing in the overnight hours has returned home after a nearly 13-hour search.
According to Richmond County Emergency Services Director Bob Smith, 16-year-old Jathan William Herendon — who has autism and other medical issues — walked back to his home near Cordova around 3:15 p.m. Wednesday.
Herendon had reportedly last been seen near West Ridge Court outside Cordova around 1 a.m.
After a search by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, a ground search began scouring the area around 2:30 a.m.
The search effort was conducted by: Richmond County Sheriff’s Office; Richmond County Emergency Services; Cordova Fire and Rescue; Richmond County Rescue; East Rockingham Fire Department; Hamlet Fire and Rescue; Hoffman Fire and Rescue; Wallace (South Carolina) Fire and Rescue; the N.C. Forest Service; the N.C. Highway Patrol (helicopter); Montgomery County Emergency Management; Uwharrie K-9; and Search and Rescue teams from Scotland and Anson counties.
“Thanks for all the prayers and support for the family,” reads the updated post on the RCES Facebook page.
