Boy missing in Acton found safe, sound around 2 a.m.

Staff reports 10:16 a.m.


Boy missing in Acton found safe, sound around 2 a.m.

The youngster is carried by a York County Sheriff's Deputy after being found around 2 a.m.. today. (Courtesy/WCSH)

ACTON - A youngster who got lost on Sunday while hiking with his family in Acton was found early today by a search dog.

Five-year-old Christopher Grecco was found safe by a search dog called Tala around 2 a.m.

Dorothy Smail, who owns the dog, told WCSH of Portland that the boy was nervous for a moment when he thought Tala was a fox.

He was lying on the ground, but alert and OK, she said.

Grecco was checked out by medical personnel and reunited with his family. Some 25 state troopers, York County sheriff's deputies, state game wardens and personnel from the Acton Fire Department were involved in the search, which was coordinated out of the Acton Fire Department station house.

The search was launched Sunday night after the boy became separated from a group of relatives hiking along a trail off the Hussey Hill Road.

Grecco, who is from New Jersey, got separated from the family outing around 6:30 p.m. He was found about a half mile from where he was last seen.

Maine Warden Service officials said in a Facebook post people who suspect someone in their group is lost should call safety official in 20 minutes if they can't locate them.