The Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) is extending its sincere gratitude for the many community volunteers, the RCMP and the members of the Office of the Fire Commission for their help in bringing a successful end to the search for a missing 8 year-old boy over the weekend.

According to MFNPS, the boy, considered at high-risk with special needs and autism, wandered from his home on Roseau River First Nation around 7 p.m. Friday evening.

An extensive search was launched that included MFNPS Officers, the Office of the Fire Commissioner, along with multiple Manitoba RCMP specialized units including: RCMP Search and Rescue, Police Dog Services, drone operators and officers form the RCMP Morris Detachment. The search continued through the night and into the next day, and 18 hours later at 1:40 p.m. Saturday, divers and an inland water transport operator found the child 8 kilometres from home. He was alive and suffering the effects of hypothermia.

The boy was returned to the community for medical care evaluated by EMS, and reunited with family.

Police say he is expected to fully recover.