Video: Missing Chickasaw County Boy Found: Reaction

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Chickasaw County, Miss. (WCBI) — 18 month old Elijah Ray left his home at around 11 A.M. with his two dogs, leaving his grandfather, Kenny, to worry at home.

“He wanted to go out on the porch and play with his dogs…”, said Ray, “…I went in to put my boots…on and I came back out and…missing…”

Law enforcement, search and rescue teams, and volunteers from all over joined the search for Elijah.

Chickasaw County Sheriff James Meyers said over 100 people were a part of the search effort.

Meyers said after two and half hours of searching, “…a man hunting about a half mile from here knew of the situation and went back to check some of his deer stands and around his property and found the young man sitting on the creek…the dogs were sitting with him.”

Ray said the dogs, Willy and Millie, were by Elijah’s side the entire time, saying “…he loves his dogs.”

Meyers said the man that found the boy had to talk the dogs down for ten to fifteen minutes before the dog let the man approach Elijah.

“It shows you that dog is man’s best friend”, said Meyers.

Meyers also said when search and rescue teams found the young boy, when asked why he left, Elijah replied, “I was deer hunting.”

“He’s a country boy…”, said grandfather Kenny, “…He’s papaw’s baby…”

Meyers said Elijah only had a few scratches and was tired, but is expected to be okay.

Ray also wanted to thank all of the search and rescue teams, as well as the community members who volunteered, in their efforts to find his grandson.