ORANGE, Texas — The search for a missing 10-year-old in Orange is over, officials said.
Landon Smith was last seen around 8 p.m. Friday night, Jan. 3 near Charlotte Road. Orange County Sheriff Keith Merritt found the boy walking out of the woods around 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Detective Janois Grizzaffi said.
He spent the night in the woods in a sleeping bag, and first responders are checking him as a precaution, Grizzaffi said. The family's dog, Max, a Belgian Malinois, never left his side the whole night, she said.
Deputies were searching Forest Heights and surrounding neighborhoods on foot and by air, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said in a news release 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4.
“Deputies have searched the neighborhood and spoke with other relatives and were not able to locate Landon,” Grizzaffi said in the initial statement.
Landon has walked away from his home on other occasions, but family says he has always returned home a short time later, she said.
“The Sheriff's Office is asking that neighbors in the Forest Heights and surrounding areas to check in their yards and any buildings in case Landon may have gotten lost and sought shelter from the cold,” the news release said.
If you see Landon, you should call the Sheriff’s Office at 409-883-2612.
Orange Co. Sheriff's Office News Release:
The Orange County Sheriff's Office is currently searching for a missing 10 year old in the area of Charlotte Road Orange, Texas.
10 year old Landon Smith has been missing since 8:00 pm yesterday night. Family stated Landon has walked away from the home on other occasions but has always returned home a short time later. Deputies have searched the neighborhood and spoke with other relatives and were not able to locate Landon.
Deputies are searching Forest Heights and the surrounding neighborhoods. At this time, Deputies are searching on foot and are being assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office helicopter.
Landon was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue t-shirt, and boots. The family's dog, a belgium malinois (looks similar to a german shepherd) named Max should be with Landon also.
The Sheriff's Office is asking that neighbors in the Forest Heights and surrounding areas to check in their yards and any buildings in case Landon may have gotten lost and sought shelter from the cold.
Contact our office at 409-883-2612 if you have any information about Landon Smith.
