Hello friends!
Steve Stockton here with you!
Welcome to our latest video!
In this episode, I'm going to bring you the strange case of a missing
preschooler who was found alive after two days alone in the woods.
Join us...
Three-year-old Ryker Webb wandered away from the family home while playing with his dog
on Friday, June 3, 2022, South of Troy, Montana.
Authorities were contacted by neighbors after hearing the parents of the boy
shouting his name for two hours.
When police arrived on scene, the parents explained they had
been searching for Webb for two hours to no avail.
Search and Rescue teams, along with canine units, helicopters, drones,
ground, arial, and medics all responded to the area,
although a helicopter was forced to return to base because of worsening weather conditions.
The following day, the search resumed as weather had cooperated and the helicopter
as well as the drone were able to assist in the search effort.
Neighbors were asked to check their homes,
out buildings, and any other structures on their property.
Weather worsened as the day went on, creating a low visibility for the drone and helicopter.
Ground crews were forced to do much of the search because
of the low hanging cloud cover and persisting rainy conditions.
The area is very densely packed with vegetation and a lot of overgrowth,
forcing ground crews to slow their pace.
Fifty-three search and rescue crew members joined the search on the third day
as there had been no progress made.
They covered the mountain area, miles into the wilderness in an
attempt to locate the child before the weather conditions became worse.
Just as it felt all hope was lost, a call over communications reported a child found
near Pine Ridge Road, near South Fork Bull River.
Against all odds, three-year-old Ryker Webb was found alive on day three of the search.
The team responsible for finding the youngster reported that he was fine
other than being hungry, thirsty and cold.
It seems as the child told investigators that he, “went for a walk with his dog and got tired.”
The resourceful fellow found a shed and took shelter from the weather.
A family checking on their cabin found the youngster
earlier that day and alerted authorities.
The shed was “roughly” two miles from the Webb home.
The shed housed a generator for a hunting cabin.
The family that owns the place were there checking on their retreat and
it seems as they didn’t know a child was missing in the area.
Imagine their surprise when they heard a small child’s voice coming from their shed.
They went to investigate and found Webb hiding.
“He was visibly shaken,” stated Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short. “He was very, very scared.”
Bears and mountain lions inhabit the area and are active this time of year.
The weather was also an issue the entire time rescue crews were searching for the child as
several thunderstorms rolled through the area.
Temperatures got into the low 40s and the area where Webb sought shelter was an old drafty shed.
The think he may have also slept in a lawnmower bag for warmth
and had possibly been at the cabin since Friday when he was reported missing.
Ryker Webb was taken to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center for evaluation
but has since been released to his parents.
The case remains open due to investigators
needing to question the parents on several issues from the time Ryker went missing.
Police intend to ask the parents why two hours passed before Ryker was reported missing.
Why hadn’t the parents called before then.
And why wasn’t the child being watched more closely.
Search teams were able to follow “clues” Webb left along the path he took on his way up the mountain.
Sheriff Short stated the crews were able to make those areas
and used ATVs to reach areas where it was impossible to get other equipment.
Ryker is said to “like bugs.” Searchers noticed
several rocks overturned on the path they were following.
“It looked as though someone was looking for bugs,” Short stated.
Webb was found wearing a blue onesie with holes in the toes and feet.
Ryker Webb was happy to be reunited with his parents.
So what do you think of this strange case?
There's been a lot of unusual comments on social media...
I look forward to what you all have to say - but please keep it friendly and respectful.
Until we meet again...
Be good to yourselves and each other!
As for me I'll see a little further on down the trail!
I'm Steve Stockton and I'll talk to you next time