A Bartholomew County Sheriff deputy located a missing 14-year-old boy Sunday night using the department’s new Project Lifesaver system.
Chief Deputy Maj. Chris Lane found the teen after joining the search around Walmart on Merchants Mile on Columbus’ west side.
Jacob Peden was reported missing at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, deputies said. The juvenile, who is prone to wander, was equipped with a Project Lifesaver bracelet that allowed responders to use a tracking device to locate his last known location.
A signal was picked up near Walmart on Merchants Mile which is approximately one mile from the juvenile’s home in the 900 block of Garden Street.
Surveillance footage showed Peden entering the store, entering the bathroom, where the bracelet was found, then running from the store. Units saturated the area and the missing juvenile was found unharmed by Major Lane.
Although the Project Lifesaver bracelet had been removed, this program was instrumental in responders being able to quickly narrow the search area, deputies said.
A new band will be added to Jacob’s bracelet so that a special tool will be required for removal, deputies said.
For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.
