Missing Mute Autistic Boy Robert Woods Jr. Found Alive in Virginia

Oct. 28, 2011 — -- A 9-year-old autistic boy missing since Sunday has been found alive on the property of a Virginia quarry, about three quarters of a mile from where he went missing.

"Robert Wood Jr. has been found and reunited with his family," said Hanover County Sheriff Col. David Hines during a news conference.

A citizen found Robert lying in the fetal position and fully clothed, Hines said. The boy was flown to a hospital by helicopter and reunited with his family.

"He was alert," Hines said. "I will say he was in serious but good shape.

"The search is over, the investigation continues and there are a lot of people to thank," Hines said.

More than 1,000 volunteers assisted in the search for the boy who had been missing since Sunday, when he disappeared while hiking.

"There's a lot of emotion with this," Hines said. "We had to turn volunteers away, not because we didn't want their service and not because we weren't thankful, but because we couldn't support them."

Cheers reportedly broke out at search command posts with the news that Robert had been found.

Hanover County sheriff's officers said Robert, who does not speak, ran off from his father while they were visiting North Anna Battlefield Park on Sunday.

"No one on the team ever gave up, and I have to say that there were some times that you just had to reach down and find that faith that you were going to find him," Hines said. "Whether it's appropriate or not for everyone, there is a God. He listens to prayers and prayers were answered."