BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — Some good news! Hernando County Sheriff's deputies say a missing and endangered Brooksville 9-year-old has been found safe.
According to deputies, Ethan Gray-Taylor had been last seen around 3 a.m. Thursday at his home on American Lane in Brooksville, between Richbarn and Jamboree roads. His guardian reportedly heard him outside the home at that time. However, when she went outside to get him, he was gone.
Ethan, deputies say, is diagnosed with autism and ADHD.
Deputies said he left his home a few days ago and was found in the woods "a pretty good distance" away. He is reportedly known to take off his shirt when he runs away and also climb trees.
Just after 3 a.m., multiple patrol deputies, along with a K-9 team and sheriff's aviation unit have been searching for Ethan. Authorities continued to search for the boy for several hours until he was safely found and returned home.
Deputies said they weren't sure where Ethan was at this time.
Ethan is described as being 5 feet 2 inches and weighs about 75 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes. He was reportedly wearing a T-shirt, shorts and crocks when he left home.
Once the sun came up, people living in the general area were asked to look around their properties, including trees, shrubbery, sheds and other possible hiding places and call 911 if they saw him.
People were asked to contact the Hernando County Sheriff's Office at 352-754-6830 if they saw the 9-year-old.