Boy, 3, who sparked massive search after vanishing from garden made his own way back to his babysitter’s
The toddler managed to get himself back to his childminders after disappearing during a picnic with other children in Cheshire
A TODDLER who sparked a frenzied manhunt after disappearing for three hours yesterday managed to find his own way back to his babysitter's.
Little Lewis Palmer had been enjoying a picnic with other children outside his childminder's house in Wilmslow, Cheshire when he disappeared at around 1pm yesterday.
Police search teams, including a helicopter and dog unit, were scrambled to hunt for the three-year-old - who eventually made his own way back.
A search HQ was set up at nearby Lacey Green Primary Acdemy and volunteers from Cheshire Search and Rescue began assembling.
Concerned families gathered at the school and officers asked neighbours to look around their homes for the little boy.
Lewis' mum shared an urgent Facebook appeal, which was shared hundreds of times, encouraging anyone who had seen Lewis to get in contact with her or the police immediately.
After a three-hour manhunt the little boy was thankfully found safe and well after returning to his babysitter's home - much to the whole community's relief.
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It is thought Lewis may have returned to the property while people were out searching for him, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Inspector Jez Taylor of Cheshire Police said: “Lewis managed to make his way back to the location he went missing from. We’re unsure of exactly how he got there. Obviously we had done a complete and thorough search of the neighbouring properties, but he made his way back which we are delighted about.
"He had been playing outside and part of the game he had been playing meant he took his shoes and socks off.
"We are trying to find out exactly how he did disappear."
Police said it is unclear where Lewis went during the missing hours.
Inspector Taylor thanked the community for their efforts in finding Lewis and said: "They have been absolutely brilliant, they couldn't have been any more helpful, volunteers have helped come forward to help the search.
"As a parent myself, it’s terrifying, I’m just glad we found Lewis as quickly as possible.”
The inspector said well over a dozen officers, as well as Cheshire Search and Rescue volunteers, a dog patrol unit and a helicopter had been involved in the hunt.
He added: “For now it is a mystery where Lewis has been – but we will unpick that as the investigation continues.”
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