Two Navajo boys who went missing yesterday while hauling wood with their grandparents and aunt were found at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The two boys, 3 and 4 years old, wandered off into the woods yesterday at approximately 2 p.m. The incident wasn’t reported to the Navajo Nation Police Department (PD) until approximately 7 p.m.
A search party was organized in the area 15 miles north of State Route 264 in Beshbito Valley, Ariz. A search party worked throughout the night without finding the two boys. The search party was cut off at 5:30 a.m. this morning for the purpose of regrouping.
At 10 a.m. the search party found the boys three miles south of where they were originally went missing. The boys are reported to have been uninjured and in good health.
Navajo County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue and Navajo Nation Fish and Wildlife were enroute, but cancelled as the boys were located.
The search was a joint effort of NNPD, Navajo Nation Fire Department, Apache County Sheriff’s Department, Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management, Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the Hopi Emergency Response Team. All participated in the search and the investigation of the missing boys.
“I would like to thank the NNPD for their timely and organized response to this incident. They are consistently working on behalf of our people’s safety,” said Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye. “It’s also important to recognize the community and volunteer efforts of those who organized and participated in the search party. Thank you for your efforts.”
“During this season of pinon picking and wood hauling, it’s important that we keep an eye on each other. As a Navajo community, it’s our duty to look out for each other’s safety,” said Vice President Jonathan Nez. “With the onset of the winter months, let’s prepare ourselves and check on our elders as well.”