By ELIOT SILL

Staff writer

A 17-year-old McPherson youth with autism casually eluded officers for nearly three hours Thursday night after a dispute with his family led to the decision to walk from his family’s campsite at Hillsboro Cove to Hillsboro, Sheriff Robert Craft said.

Marion County Sheriff’s officers initially responded to the call, then requested assistance from Hillsboro and Marion authorities as darkness complicated the search.

The youth was not actively fleeing police. Law enforcement used thermal imaging to aid in their search for the boy, Marion Fire Chief Mike Regnier said. The boy was difficult to locate because he had walked off through a bean field and it was dark outside.

“We were pretty sure he wasn’t in the bean field because it wasn’t tall enough to conceal him,” Craft said. Craft said law enforcement looked in the buildings and wooded areas along the nearby railroad tracks instead.

The boy’s mother called in to the police. She had driven behind him on Mustang Rd. while he walked, attempting to coax him back into her car, Craft said.

Hillsboro and Marion police collaborated on the search along with the Sheriff’s department.

“It’s been a few years since one was that extensive,” Craft said of the search. “The cooperation between everybody involved was great.”

Craft said he was finally located back at Hillsboro Cove, and that he was unharmed.