Autistic boy found safe

ALBEMARLE, N.C. -- A 13-year-old autistic boy is reunited with his parents after he was lost in the woods for nearly a day.

Now, the Whittman family has a very special reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving.

Around 3 p.m. Monday, family members and search crews in Morrow Mountain State Park seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when word came down that Kyle Whittman was safe.

As his parents drove Whittman out of the park, they covered his face with a pizza box, but Whittman’s uncle says they couldn’t hide their emotions when their son returned after spending nearly 24 hours alone in the woods.

Kyle Whittman

“I told them it was just like winning the lottery for our family -- it was just a blessing. God found him and brought him back to us and we’re grateful to everybody,” says Kyle’s Uncle, Joey Whittman.

More than 100 people searched for Whitman, who disappeared while hiking with his father in a dense area of trees.

The rescue crew included 30 firefighters from Charlotte.

"If they need us were a phone call away,” said Battalion Chief David Moore, who headed up the Charlotte effort.

The 13-year-old had been missing since late Sunday afternoon. Kyle's father flagged down a park ranger and the search began around 5:00 p.m.

The effort was complicated by the rugged terrain.

"Mountainous area, steep inclines, deep forests, so, physically, it was challenging to some of our searchers,” Moore said.

None of the professionals found the teen. Sheriff’s deputies say a man riding an ATV through his property spotted the boy walking along a road several miles from the park and called 911. Kyle was about 3 to 4 miles from where he and his father separated.

Crews say Kyle wasn’t able to tell them where he went or how happy he was to be home, but according to his uncle he didn’t have to say a word.

“You could see in his eyes that he was really happy and excited,” explains Joey Whittman.

The family left Morrow Mountain without talking to the media but it was clear they were pleased.

"Cannot really express the relief that's gone all through this park,” said Charlie Peek of North Carolina Parks and Recreation. “The boy was in good shape physically. He was wet. Apparently he had crossed some creeks. He had some trouble standing, he was extremely tired."

The boy was checked by paramedics at the park and released. It’s the ending Kyle’s family was praying for.

“Haven’t had a lot of sleep but we’re gonna get some sleep tonight. We’re just happy he’s back with us. He’s autistic, he’s a special child and he’s loved by a lot of people,” said Joey Whittman.

Kyle was wearing a cotton sweatshirt and blue jeans when he went missing and that was a concern for searchers who worried that if he got too wet or if the weather turned cold he would not have much protection against the elements.

Peek says Whittman apparently walked between 3 and 5 miles to get out of the park and onto the country road where he was found.

“Whether it’s an adult or a kid, you know you have accomplished the job that you set out to do,” Moore said. “That's the best feeling in the world".

WCNC reporter Glenn Counts contributed to this story.