Video: Oktibbeha County Boy Is Found Healthy And Safe

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OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Tonight, Martavius Bankhead is home.
Volunteers searched tirelessly for 14 hours to find the eight year-old boy, who got lost in the woods.
Now, his family is giving thanks for the people who turned out to help.

100 people scoured the area near Martavius’ home off of Oktoc Road.
Everyone from sheriff’s deputies to volunteer firefighters to complete strangers joined the search.
With one goal, to bring Martavius home safe and sound.

“He’s doing great, just ready to get back to his normal life,” said Rita Conner, Martavius’ aunt.

The Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department first learned Martavis Bankhead was missing about 8 Wednesday night.

Search crews combed the woods throughout the night and into the morning, before finding Martavius.

Mississippi State University police officer and volunteer firefighter, Mckenzie Rogers, joined the search after receiving an alert.

About 9:30 Thursday morning, he found Martavius.

“When I walked up and I saw him, the description fit him of what he had on and I asked him to come to me and I approached him as well. And he was scared, shaken and shivering, just wanted to be home,” said Rogers.

“He’s in good health, just kind of shaken up and scared as any 8-year-old would be and I’m just grateful for the outcome,” said Oktibbeha County Sheriff, Steve Gladney.

Once back home, Martavius’ family was overwhelmed with joy and thankful so many people spent hours in the cold to find the boy.

“Words really can’t describe just seeing him safely. Just seeing the reaction of the family, we’re just overjoyed that he is home safely and that he could get back to his normal life,” said Conner.

The family wants to say a big ‘thank you’ to all the search teams.

Authorities say if a similar situation arises, contact your local law enforcement as soon as possible.