Missing autistic teen found near Ky. home

ASHLAND, Ky. -- A missing teenage boy with autism was found safe and sound Thursday evening, almost 12 hours after he was reported missing by his family.

Geoffrey "Braiden" Reffitt, 14, of Summit, Ky., was found along Hatchery Road at about 7:15 p.m. Thursday, said Boyd County 911 dispatchers.

Hatchery Road begins less than one mile away from his home near the intersection of U.S. 60 and Meade Springer Road in Summit, where he had disappeared Thursday morning.

Reffitt was said to be in good health, but he was evaluated by emergency personnel as a precaution.

Dispatchers said it appeared a passerby, who recognized Reffitt from media coverage, located the boy walking along the road and alerted authorities.

Multiple law enforcement agencies, helicopters and volunteers participated in the search for the teenager.