According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Alijah Kensinger vanished Thursday afternoon shortly after 4 p.m. He was last seen playing in the woods near his home off of Highway 78 in Tellico Plains. Police said the boy’s dog returned home wet, prompting a search of all nearby water.
“We think he’s gone in the woods, gotten turned around, possibly injured himself, and couldn’t find his way back,” Detective Jason Phillyew said, CBS 8 reports.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced Friday that the AMBER Alert for a young child who disappeared Thursday had been cancelled. He has been found safe.
Age
He is 6 years old.
Alijah Kensinger Missing
Air search for the boy resumed on Friday, while over 100 volunteers helped search the area. Residents told the outlet that the terrain is rough and not suited for people who are unfamiliar with the area.
“Unless you’re from the boonies and the sticks you don’t need to be here it’s hard enough looking for a kid we don’t need to be looking for adults too,” resident Eli Thompson said.
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Alijah’s mother, Amber Kensinger, said her son is adventurous and enjoys playing outside.
“We are always outside adventuring and I honestly feel like the forest would be safe and preferable to other places he could be so I’m just hoping that we find him here,” Amber said.
#TNAMBERAlert: Spot Elijah? Please contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 423-442-1212 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
3/X pic.twitter.com/YfbRXtk5am
— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) January 14, 2022
Alijah is described as a white male who stands 4-feet and weighs around 55 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.
Found Safe
According to the incident commander, a missing 6-year-old boy at the centre of an AMBER Alert was found safe Friday morning after almost 19 hours of search efforts in Monroe County.
“This is the best outcome we could’ve prayed for,” the incident commander said.
Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation cancelled the AMBER Alert late after issuing it Thursday night.
“He’s a little cold, but otherwise in good spirits!” the TBI tweeted.
