A grandmother called 911 shortly after noon Sunday, Nov. 7, to report a missing child.
According to the Waupaca County Sheriff’s office, the grandmother lives on Stratton Lake Road in Dayton, near the Radley Creek public hunting and fishing area.
The grandmother had been watching her three grandchildren, who were playing outside in her yard, when the 2 1/2-year-old girl wandered off.
After a brief initial search, the grandmother called the sheriff’s office requesting assistance.
When deputies arrived, they started searching with a canine unit. About 30 minutes later, officers found the child in a heavily wooded area near Radley Creek, about one-half mile from the residence.
“The child was found very scared and frightened, but not injured,” Sheriff Brad Hardel said.
The girl was lost for approximately 2 1/2 hours.
Sheriff’s deputies were assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Waupaca Area Fire and Ambulance, along with dozens of family friends and volunteers.
“This was a great example of our emergency services working quickly together with community members, resulting in a positive outcome,” Hardel said.