Heard dog barking
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Facing an overnight forecast of near freezing temperatures and less than three hours before darkness, the search for Colby Ridgeway became urgent for first responders Tuesday afternoon. Sheriff Dennis Darby passed out photos of the missing two-year-old as searchers staged southwest of Batesville. Photos by Billy Davis
Though leaves are gone with the season, the thickly-wooded terrain provided a challenge for searchers who were sometimes barely visible even in orange vests as the day’s light ebbed.
Chopper 5 from Memphis WMC television joined the search for the missing two-year-old.
While the helicopter hovered overhead, a search dog was utilized at ground level.
Deputy Sheriff Tony Ware found a higher vantage point from the toolbox of a pickup.
As the hours moved toward darkness Tuesady afternoon, worry etched the faces of searchers as they thought about the danger of the toddler’s exposure to cold temperatures and a long, dark night.
Then came the smiles on searchers’ faces as word spread that Colby Ridgeway had been found.
of Batesville employee and his son after they heard his dog barking and
found him in a nearby creek bed in a heavily wooded area south of
Batesville.
Panola County Sheriff Department administrative assistant Robbie Haley
confirmed reports that Colby Ridgeway was found and in good condition after
being transported to Tri-lakes Medical Center for evaluation.
Panola County Deputy Sheriff Jason Chrestman was one of the emergency
responders and stated that he wouldn’t be surprised if 75-100 people were in
the woods looking for the youngster.
A call went out about 3 p.m. indicating that the toddler was missing,
triggering first responders and a call to DeSoto County
for use of their helicopter. Channel 5 News from Memphis also used their
helicopter in the search according to Haley.
Shelton Hawkins said he was somewhat familiar with the area west of
Courtland and east of Highway 35 south of Batesville where the youngster
disappeared near Morrow and Travis Roads.
He and his son Tyler were near the Paul Brewer property when Tyler heard a
dog barking. While walking in direction of the barking dog they heard the
child’s cry coming from a nearby creek.
The missing two-year-old had last been seen playing with a dog in the yard of his home located at 1749 Morrow Road, the boy’s grandfather said.
The 3 p.m. emergency call alerted members of the Panola Search and Rescue Team, instructing them to report to Morrow and Travis Road near the location of the boy’s home.
Around 5 p.m. word came that the toddler had been found.
