UPDATE: Missing 12-Year-Old Found Safe After K9 Tracks Him Into Wooded Area Near Zion

ZION, Ill. — A 12-year-old boy who had been missing for more than four hours near Zion was found safe Monday evening after a Lake County Sheriff’s Office K9 tracked him into a heavily wooded area.

Deputies were dispatched around 6:30 p.m. Monday to the 42300 block of North Kilbourne Road in unincorporated Zion after receiving a report that the child was missing. An extensive search began around the residence and surrounding area, with authorities also deploying a drone. 

As the search continued, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Lowe and K9 Loki were called in to assist. Loki began tracking through a heavily wooded area before alerting deputies to someone concealed within thick brush nearby. 

Deputies located the missing 12-year-old in the brush. Authorities said he was safe and reunited with his family after having been missing for more than four hours. 

“Missing child safely located thanks to the teamwork of our deputies and K9 Loki,” the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said, crediting the outcome to the persistence and coordination of responding deputies and the K9 team. 

The sheriff’s office added, “We’re grateful for everyone who played a role in bringing this young man home safely. Good boy, Loki!” 

K9 Loki has served alongside Deputy Lowe since June 2023, after completing an eight-week training course at Tops Kennel in Grayslake. 

No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

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