Missing Teen Safely Located After Multi-Agency Search Effort in Ballplay Bend

Ballplay Bend-A coordinated search involving multiple agencies and community volunteers resulted in the safe recovery of a missing teenager in the Ballplay Bend area Wednesday night.

Ballplay Bend Fire Department responded after being alerted to the missing juvenile and quickly initiated a search operation, with the majority of department personnel assisting. Upon arrival, crews deployed a thermal drone to scan the surrounding area while additional information was gathered. Several firefighters also retrieved ATVs and UTVs to expand the search capability across difficult terrain.

The Etowah County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and advised that a K-9 unit was not immediately available. Firefighters and deputies were then assigned designated search areas and began a coordinated ground search. The teenager was located by one of the search teams and transported to the command post, where the individual was reunited with family and evaluated by Ballplay Bend Fire Department medics.

Assisting agencies included Etowah County 911, Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, Hokes Bluff Fire Department and A-Med Ambulance Service. Sims Chapel Church provided its fellowship hall to serve as the command post and staging area for search teams.

Officials also expressed appreciation to community members who volunteered to assist in the search effort.

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