An 18-month-old missing toddler was found Sept. 19 by a Maine game warden in Bradford. The boy’s parents had been sleeping after having worked an overnight shift the evening of Sept. 18. At some point during the morning hours near daylight, the mother opened the house door to let out the family dog. It is believed the door may have been left open and the toddler was able to exit the home. When the father woke up at 1 p.m., he noticed his son was missing. A search took place by family for a short period before they called police.

Game wardens, state troopers with search dogs, and a Maine Forest Service helicopter responded shortly after 2 p.m. to Ithsmus Road, off Route 221 in Bradford.

After initial searches of nearby buildings and roadways, game wardens and troopers located dog tracks behind the home. They felt the dog tracks might point in the direction of the missing boy.

At 4:20 p.m., Game Warden Jim Fahey located the missing toddler about six-tenths of a mile behind the residence. The boy was found sleeping in a tire rut on a grassy road. He was awakened by Warden Fahey and the boy appeared to be in good health.