SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. (WFRV) – Officers in southern Wisconsin are thanking a widespread community effort in helping to locate a child who was seen roaming around without an adult on Tuesday afternoon.
Officers with the Sun Prairie Police Department say that around 4:40 p.m. on June 10, they were notified by an uninvolved passerby who saw a ‘young child’ crossing Grove Street without an adult near Hawthorn Drive.
Authorities immediately began checking the area, which is near Sun Prairie East High School, with help from the Sun Prairie Fire Department and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team. A Nixle alert was also issued to area residents asking for help.
Shortly after the alert, several residents reportedly contacted police and helped identify the child and their home address.
Officers responded to the address provided and confirmed the child had safely returned home.
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During the investigation, officers learned that the child had left the home without the parents’ knowledge and returned before they realized the child had been gone.
“The quick coordination between our officers, fire department, and the Dane County Drone Team, along with alert and engaged community members, made a big difference in resolving this quickly,” said Chief Kevin Warych. “We’re grateful for everyone’s effort to ensure this child’s safety.”
No additional information has been released.
