First responders used every tool to search for missing 4-year-old — but it was a neighbor’s concern that solved the case

The neighbor empathized with the parents and did his own search and it yielded amazing results.

PUBLISHED 8 HOURS AGO

(L) Little boy wandering alone outdoors. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Dario Gaona), (R) Elderly man worried and pondering deeply while outdoors. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by paula photos)

Any parent would want the community to come together and help if their child was in trouble. A 4-year-old boy, JoJo’s parents are breathing relief after a neighbor, Ricky McMahan, helped find their missing child in Newport, per 6 News. The Cocke County Emergency Management Agency shared a post on Facebook revealing that several departments made their way to help locate the missing 4-year-old but in vain. The elderly man began his search alongside the forces to give whatever additional help he could to locate the child. His concerned and thoughtful efforts helped find the boy safe and sound.

Little boy playing by himself alone outdoors. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Dario Gaona)

In another post, it was revealed that the child went missing around 4 pm. His descriptions and pictures were shared and people immediately got to work. The agency revealed that they left no stone unturned when it came to locating the boy. “We had trucks, police vehicles, fire engines, drones and search dogs — every available asset was brought in,” the post read. However, they were unable to get any updates. Newport Fire Chief Jeremy Shelton said his firefighters were out searching the area, per WBIR News. Speaking of where the little boy could have possibly been, the chief said, "They have no sense of direction, so they are just going to walk. We have to check any bushes and any kind of box that they might walk into.”

First responders — police, firefighters, choppers on the lookout during rescue mission. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by egdigital)

While they conducted their frantic search, alongside them was McMahan. The elderly man was a grandparent himself and had grandchildren the age of little JoJo. He resonated well with the worry the family might have been going through. He decided to look around himself as best as he could. He kept calling out the boy’s name and looked around his property as much as he could. “And there, deep in a holler, on private property and under the cover of thick trees, McMahan found little JoJo,” the post explained. After nearly two and a half hours, the boy was found, safe and healthy.

Elderly man worried and pondering deeply while wandering outdoors. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Rapid Eye)

The man ran towards the boy and found him sitting there, reaching out his arms, waiting eagerly for someone to find him and bring him to safety. The boy was finally reunited with his family. "It felt good that I got him and he was back home safe with his family," McMahan said. “After all of the vehicles, personnel, dogs, drones, and everything we had, it was a concerned citizen with two precious grandchildren about JoJo’s age who decided to do what he could to help,” the post remarked.

The CCMEA Director, Esway, was proud to commend the resident for his efforts in locating the boy. “If you do nothing else for the rest of your days, sleep well knowing you most certainly saved a life today,” the director said to McMahan. “In the end, it was a concerned neighbor who took care of his community. Thank you, Sir! That is a job awfully well done!” the post read. Barbara Carrier commented, “Thank you, sir, your decision as a grandfather to join in this search became a miracle come true — for this boy, his family, and the community.” Trey Mitchell added, “That’s a hero in my book! Great job sir!”