WAPELLO COUNTY, Iowa —

A 6-year-old boy reported missing Monday afternoon in Wapello County was found safe within hours after a rapid, multi-agency search.

According to Sheriff Don Phillips, a deputy located the child more than 10 feet up in a tree near his family’s home by Power Plant Road. He was dirty with minor cosmetic wounds but otherwise unharmed.

The call came in at 1:37 p.m. reporting the child — who is autistic and nonverbal — missing. Deputies first searched the home and property, then quickly expanded efforts.

“We had multiple people on the ground, side by side, on foot, looking for him,” Phillips said.

Monroe County soon joined the operation, along with Wapello, Jefferson and Henry county emergency management, Ottumwa police, several volunteer fire crews, a State Patrol a

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