(La Porte County, IN) - Several La Porte County Police officers recently paid a visit to a two-year-old boy whose adventure away from home had a happy ending.

 

The officers were among the emergency responders who searched for the boy for nearly two hours after he wandered away from his home in the Westville area just over two weeks ago.

 

“Wesley” and his mother were reportedly preparing to visit a nearby park when he was given specific instructions by her not to stray from the front door where he was standing. At some point, the boy started chasing after his dog, which took off running, and moments later his mother returned to find her son no longer near the door.

 

According to police, the mother began searching for her son and called 911 after panic began setting in. A search by ground and air failed to locate the boy right away. 

 

“As time continued to pass, concerns for Wesley increased,” said La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen.

 

Eventually, a break in the case developed when a nearby resident knowing the boy was missing accessed her home video surveillance system and spotted Wesley in her driveway. She contacted a neighbor, who found the child and his dog sitting together on a deck at the residence, police said. Wesley was soon reunited with his grateful parents.

 

Earlier this week, police said deputies during their visit with the boy described him as “shy and gentle." They also reminisced over the search with his parents.

 

“On behalf of Wesley, his parents, and the entire Sheriff’s Office, thank you to all the personnel from the numerous agencies who assisted in the search and the citizens who shared the information on social media," Allen said.

 

As the saying goes, Allen said “It takes a village to raise a child. Yes indeed, it sure does."