SILVER SPRING, MD – A 4-year-old boy who was reported missing in Montgomery County was found safe and unharmed Thursday, according to police. The child is nonverbal and autistic.
Authorities said he disappeared from the 1400 block of Peaceful Lane in Silver Spring at about 4 p.m. Police later said he had been located and that he was safe.
Child disappeared from Peaceful Lane around 4 p.m.
Police said the boy went missing from the 1400 block of Peaceful Lane in Silver Spring, a suburban community in Montgomery County. The call brought a response centered on locating a young child with special communication needs.
The timing was part of what police emphasized: the boy was reported missing in the late afternoon, when family members and officers were still searching for him in the area. Authorities did not provide additional details about where he was found or how long he had been gone before he was located.
Police confirmed he was safe and unharmed
By Thursday, police said the child had been found and was not injured. The update ended the immediate search and brought relief after the initial report that he had vanished from the neighborhood.
No further information was released about the circumstances that led to the boy being found. Police also did not identify any other people involved in the search or say whether he was recovered nearby.
Autism and nonverbal status shaped the police response
After the boy was reported missing, police shared guidance for interacting with an autistic person in a missing-child situation. They urged the public to stay calm, move slowly and avoid sudden gestures or loud sounds that could cause distress.
Officers also advised speaking in a gentle, reassuring voice even if the person does not respond verbally. Their message stressed that the most important step is to keep the person safe and wait for police to arrive.
Why authorities highlighted calm, careful contact
The advice from police reflected the challenges that can come with searching for a child who is nonverbal and autistic. In those situations, officers often ask the public not to crowd the person or create noise that might make the child harder to approach.
That kind of guidance is meant to help bystanders assist without escalating stress. In this case, police used the missing-child alert to remind the public that a slow, quiet response can make it easier to protect the child until officers take over.
NBC4 Washington coverage centered on a fast resolution
NBC4 Washington reported the case as a local safety story with a quick resolution. The child was missing for a short period before police announced he had been found safe.
The outcome closed a frightening afternoon for the boy’s family and for officers searching in Silver Spring. Police did not say whether any additional alerts were issued, but their public update made clear the child was no longer in danger.
