Extensive search turns up missing 5-year-old — at neighbor's home

A 5-year-old boy reported missing was found safe and sound at a neighbor's house Monday — but not until after an extensive search had been underway for about 45 minutes.

The boy had been outside his home on south Stateline Road about 11:30 a.m. when his family couldn’t find him. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office reported he hadn’t been seen for about an hour prior to the call for help.

Deputies, detectives and recreation safety personnel searched the child’s residence, the neighborhood and outbuildings in the area, KSCO reported. Search and rescue and the drone team were also called in.

Initially about 20 deputies, detectives and others were involved in the search, and about 10 volunteers were on the way when the child was found safe and returned home.

“It looks like he went to a neighbor’s house to play and did not tell his parents,” according to KCSO.