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Randall Leon Chesser, 7-Year-Old Autistic Boy, Vanishes: Kentucky Authorities Fear Danger


First Posted: 09/26/11 05:36 PM ET Updated: 11/26/11 05:12 AM ET

UPDATE: Rescues found Randall Leon Chesser on Monday about three miles from his home and they say the seven-year-old boy, who'd been missing since Saturday, is safe, according to the Associated Press. He was found near a stream and was taken to a hospital to be examined.

Authorities in Kentucky are searching for a 7-year-old autistic boy who vanished from his family home over the weekend and could be in danger, according to state police.

The parents of Randall Leon Chesser said he was last seen at their Willisburg residence Saturday at 6:00 p.m. After searching for several hours, the family contacted police and requested assistance.

"[His siblings] seen him go around the garden with a dolly and he was pushing it around and he got just right out of their sight," Randall's aunt, Lewellyn Chesser, told WTVQ. "[His sister) went to go get him for supper a couple minutes later and he was gone."

Search parties have been looking for Randall by foot, horseback, ATV, helicopter and auto. Local volunteers and several emergency response agencies, including more than 50 cadets from the Kentucky State Police Training Academy, are assisting.

According to police, Randall is autistic and non-verbal.

"He needs us to be his voice and when I don't know where he is or what's wrong with him I can't be his voice," Randall's teacher, Allena Hamilton told WLKY.

"You're not looking for a child who on the street can tell you 'Hey, I'm in a hole, I can't get out.' or 'Hey, I'm under a tree, I'm stuck, I broke my leg.' He can't do that," said Hamilton.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has also joined in the search and are distributing flyers and posters throughout the state. A reverse 911 call to residences within a 27 mile radius was made to over 450 homes. The call contained a message describing Randall and asking citizens to call with any information.

The family of the little boy told WKYT they suspect foul play in his disappearance.

"He won't go by himself, so we think that somebody took him," Lewellyn Chesser said.

Billy Gregory with the Kentucky State Police Department said investigators have found "no evidence" to lead them to suspect an abduction occurred. As a result, the case does not meet the Amber Alert criteria, Gregory said.

MISSING CHILDREN CASES (ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW)

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  • Madeleine McCann

    A combination of two pictures released by Madeleine McCann's family. One shows Madeleine at the age of 3 (L), and an 'age progression' image of what she would look like at the age of 9. Madeleine McCann disappeared on May 3, 2007, just days before her fourth birthday, from the family's holiday apartment at the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz. Her parents were dining with friends at a nearby restaurant when she went missing. If you have any information on Madeleine's whereabouts, please contact the Operation Grange team at 0207 321 9251 or OperationGrange@met.pnn.police.uk. More info about Madeleine can be found at: <a href="http://www.findmadeleine.com" target="_blank">findmadeleine.com</a>

  • JaRay Wilson

    JaRay Mickell Wilson, 16, is missing from Weatherford, Ohio. She was last seen in Weatherford on Oct. 15. She is currently listed as a runaway, but but authorities believe she may have been trafficked. Wilson is 5' 2" and weighs 95 pounds with green eyes, black hair with blond streak on the left side, and has three piercings on her bottom lip. Wilson has been entered into the National Crime Information Center Database as a runaway, according to the Sheriff's Office. If you have any information, call the Custer County Sheriff's Office at (580)-323-1616. (Missing Persons Of America) CORRECTION: A previous version of this slide incorrectly stated that Wilson is from Cleveland, Ohio. She is from Weatherford, Oklahoma.

  • Shawna Hansen

    Shawna Hansen, 17, left her north Marysville, Washington home on October 2. Authorities said Hansen has the developmental age of a 10 or 11-year-old. Hansen is about 4-foot-6, 90 pounds, with short, brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing jeans, black jacket, and a pink and white T-shirt. She is possibly carrying a black, white and blue backpack and may be riding a pink and black "Next" BMX-style bike. Anyone with information on Shawna Hansen's whereabouts is asked to call Marysville police at 360-363-8350.

  • Austan Tyler Stone

    Austan Tyler Stone, 16, was last seen in Post Falls, Idaho on Sept. 10, when he left for school. According to a Facebook page maintained by his family, his cellphone was briefly activated in Modesto, Calif. The Post Falls Police Department has Stone listed as a <a href="http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/sirens/2012/oct/03/family-seeks-information-missing-teen/" target="_hplink">runaway juvenile</a>. Stone is 5-foot-6 and 130 pounds with green eyes and brownish-blonde hair. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Post Falls Police Department at 208-773-3517 or the Kottenai County Sheriff's Department at 208-446-1300 and refer to Case Number: 12-23395.

  • Jamal Omar Briggs

    Jamal Omar Briggs, 14, was last seen in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, on Sept. 26. Detectives with the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said they have no evidence of abduction or foul play. Briggs is described as a black male, 5-feet, 3-inches tall, weighing 135 pounds. He was last seen wearing a red heavy shirt, black jeans and black Jordan tennis shoes. Anyone with information regarding Briggs' whereabouts is asked to call the Roanoke Rapids Police Department at 252-326-3938.

  • Michael Suarez Jr.

    Michael Suarez Jr., 19, was last seen on August 31, at his 61st St. home in Mapleton, New York. According to his aunt, Linda Suarez, her nephew is schizophrenic and he has not had his medication. Anyone with information in this case is asked to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577.

  • Christopher Milton Dansby

    Christopher, who has been missing since May 18, 1989, was last seen in a park located on 114th Street and Lenox Avenue in Manhattan, New York. He has a birthmark shaped like a figure "8" on his neck. He was 2 years old when he went missing.

  • Kathryn Pratts

    Kathryn, 16 of Staten Island, New York, has been missing since Nov. 24, 2010. Her tongue is pierced and she has a scar over her left eyebrow. Kathryn may go by the nickname Kat or Kathy.

  • Caelan Cyrus-Howard

    Caelan, of Brooklyn, New York, was last seen with his non-custodial mother on 02/21/2002. He has a scar on his forehead and his hair is braided. Caelan was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue polo shirt and black "ACG" boots. He may be in need of medical attention. Mother and child may have traveled to Trinidad and Tobago.

  • Jeremiah George Huger

    Jeremiah George Huger, who has been missing since June of 1985, was playing in his yard in the Bronx, New York, with other children when an unknown black male called to the child and then grabbed him. Jeremiah, who was 4 when he disappeared, has a 1 1/2" scar on his left forearm. He was last seen wearing a light blue shirt, dark blue shorts, and white sneakers.

  • Timothy Pitzen

    This image from Facebook shows missing 7-year-old Timothy Pitzen. Timothy has missing from Aurora, Ill. since May 12, 2011, but was last seen at a water park in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. He was last known to be in the company of his mother, who has since been found deceased in Rockford, Ill.

  • Amir Jennings

    Amir Jennings, 1, has been missing from Columbia, S.C., since Nov. 24, 2011. Family members originally filed a missing persons report for Amir and his mother, Zinah Jennings, when they could not locate them. On Christmas Eve, Zinah Jennings was involved in a car accident. The responding officer noticed that Jennings was considered a missing person. Police say that when Jennings was questioned about her son, she gave "false and inconsistent information." Police also believe Jennings has ties to the Atlanta, Ga. and Charlotte, N.C. areas. There is a $10,000 reward for the safe return of Amir. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

  • Joshua Davis

    Joshua Davis, 2, was last seen at his New Braunfels, Texas, home on Feb. 4, 2011. He was watching the movie "Toy Story" with his mother when he left the room and vanished. The toddler's mother believes her son was abducted. Anyone with information on Joshua's whereabouts is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

  • Sarah Kinslow

    Sarah Elizabeth Kinslow, 14, was last seen by her parents on May 1, 2001, when her dad dropped her off at Greenville Middle School in her hometown of Greenville, Texas, at approximately 7:20 a.m. It was not until after the school day ended that the Kinslows were notified their daughter had not attended any of her classes. According to Louise Kinslow, her daughter had never run away in the past and was unprepared to be gone for an extended period of time when she went to school that day. Sarah Kinslow would be 25 years old today. At the time of her disappearance, she was 5-foot-4-inches tall, weighed 105 lbs., and had blonde hair and blue eyes. Her teeth were crooked and she had several ear piercings, a tattoo of the letter "I" on the inside of her ankle, a chicken pox scar on her left temple, and two chicken pox scars on her left cheek. Anyone with information is asked to call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST) or the Greenville Police Department at 903-457-2900.

  • Khaniya Margarett Roberts

    Khaniya Margarett Roberts, A.K.A. "Kiki," age 10, was last seen in Miami, Fla., on Dec. 3, 2011. She may be in the company of her mother. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

  • Brittanee Drexel

    Brittanee Drexel, of Rochester, N.Y., was 17 years old in April 2009, when she went to Myrtle Beach, S.C., on spring break. The teen was last seen by friends on April 25 of that year, when she left the Bar Harbor Hotel in Myrtle Beach to meet friends at the nearby BlueWater Resort. Surveillance footage shows Drexel arriving at the resort, then leaving roughly 10 minutes later. What happened to her after that remains a mystery. Her cell phone gave off its last signal the day after she went missing. Investigators narrowed the phone location to an area near the South Santee River in Georgetown County. To date, no sign of Drexel has been found. At the time of her disappearance, Drexel was 5 feet tall and 103 pounds. She had blue eyes and blond highlights in her hair. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Myrtle Beach Police at 843-918-1382.

  • Trenton Duckett

    In this photo released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is a portrait of Trenton Duckett, a 2-year-old boy who was reported missing on Aug. 27, 2006, from his home in Leesburg, Fla. The boy's mother Melinda Duckett, 21, was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Friday, Sept. 8, 2006, at her grandparents' central Florida home, police said. Trenton's disappearance remains a mystery.

  • Sky Metalwala

    An undated photo provided by the police in Bellvue, Wash. shows Sky Metalwala, 2, who has been missing since Sunday, Nov. 6. He disappeared after his mother says she left him alone in an unlocked car after it ran out of gas. She says she took her 4-year-old daughter with her and when she came back about an hour later, the boy was gone. (Bellevue Police / Seattle Times / AP)

  • Dwight Stallings

    Dwight Stallings, 1, has been missing from Elk Grove, Calif., since April 2011. Authorities say the child has not been seen by family members and his mother, Tanisha Edwards, 35, has been unable or unwilling to reveal what happened to him. A $3,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the whereabouts of Dwight Stallings. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

  • Malikah Beeks

    Malikah Beeks, 17, of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, was last seen on April 11, 2012. Beeks is a possible runaway and may be with her 14-month-old son, Logan Beeks. Anyone with information on Beeks' whereabouts is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

  • Nadaysia McWhite

    Nadaysia McWhite, 16, was last seen leaving her home in Queens Village, N.Y., on Feb. 19, 2012. McWhite never returned home and her whereabouts remain unknown. She was last seen wearing black pants, a black hooded coat and black boots. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

  • Kyron Horman

    Kyron Horman was 7 years old when he disappeared on June 4, 2010. His stepmother, Terri Moulton Horman, told police she last saw the little boy walking to his classroom at Skyline Elementary School in Portland, Ore. The search for Kyron has become one of the most intense in recent Oregon history and has attracted national attention. His parents have held countless vigils, passed out thousands of fliers and issued numerous public pleas, all to no avail.

  • Reyna Guadarrama

    Reyna Guadarrama, 9, was last seen in Grayslake, Ill., on Nov. 02, 2007. She may be in the company of her non-custodial mother and an adult male. They may travel to Mexico. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

  • Maayimuna Nyeeleni Njayi N'Diaye

    Maayimuna Nyeeleni Njayi N'Diaye, 4, was last seen in Morehead, Ky., on Jan. 1, 2012. Maayimuna was allegedly abducted by her father, Ibrahim N'Diaye. A felony warrant was issued for him on Jan. 13, 2012. They are believed to be in Mali.

  • Haleigh Cummings

    This photo released by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office shows Haleigh Cummings, 5, of Satsuma, Fla. Haleigh was last seen at home in the early-morning hours of Feb. 10, 2009. She was reported missing about 3:45 a.m. by Misty Croslin, the then-girlfriend of Haleigh's father, Ronald Cummings. Croslin told police she discovered Haleigh was missing when she woke up to use the bathroom. Law enforcement as well as private search-and-recovery groups have conducted multiple searches for Haleigh, but no sign of her has been found. Authorities have not named any suspects in the case; however, they say they have not ruled anyone out.

  • Kaylee Melara

    Kaylee Melara, 17, was last seen in Braintree, Mass., on Jan. 14, 2011. Melara is biracial and has a tattoo on her upper right arm. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Black and Missing Foundation, at <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

Randall was last seen wearing a light blue hoodie, blue jeans and cowboy boots with spurs. He is a white male, 4' tall, weighing approximately 40 pounds. He has brown hair, brown eyes and a birthmark in the hairline above his forehead.

The Kentucky State Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 1-800-222-5555. Hunters that have trail cameras in the Rock Run Creek area are asked to review their footage and contact police if they see anything of interest.

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UPDATE: Rescues found Randall Leon Chesser on Monday about three miles from his home and they say the seven-year-old boy, who'd been missing since Saturday, is safe, according to the Associated Press...
UPDATE: Rescues found Randall Leon Chesser on Monday about three miles from his home and they say the seven-year-old boy, who'd been missing since Saturday, is safe, according to the Associated Press...
UPDATE: Rescues found Randall Leon Chesser on Monday about three miles from his home and they say the seven-year-old boy, who'd been missing since Saturday, is safe, according to the Associated Press...
UPDATE: Rescues found Randall Leon Chesser on Monday about three miles from his home and they say the seven-year-old boy, who'd been missing since Saturday, is safe, according to the Associated Press...
 
 
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SpookyAnnya
RN for higher teachers' salaries
05:26 AM on 09/28/2011
Thank God, they found this little guy that couldnt yell for help.
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Asmodean1
Truth is only true if based on facts.
11:44 PM on 09/27/2011
So many foul stories, that only get worse. Finally one that you read and turns to joy. My the gods bless and be happy.
06:59 PM on 09/27/2011
I'm glad the lil man is home safe...
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cleojones
It is what it is..
02:57 PM on 09/27/2011
Thank goodness they found him...
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amaboss52
Jesus died for your sins...get your moneys worth!
02:48 PM on 09/27/2011
Too many of these cases end in such abject tragedy, I'm so glad they found this young boy and he's ok. Looking at the other pictures of the missing and the dead children breaks my heart. Watch your kids because if you don't someone else might be.
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Asmodean1
Truth is only true if based on facts.
11:54 PM on 09/27/2011
Reading your post makes me think of friends that have children. When were are out and about I am constantly watching their lack of attention to the children - and commenting on this. They think its funny and entertaining - I have pointed out, that I "read" the news - they do not. Odd, how things only happen to others - not to us - errr them - u understand! It only takes a few seconds - and gone. The "gone" can last a lifetime of regret and life destroying blame and recriminations - which can never be recovered. Pay attention to your children - They are the very gold, that life is made of.
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amaboss52
Jesus died for your sins...get your moneys worth!
02:33 PM on 09/28/2011
Absolutely right, it only takes a second of inattention and your life is changed forever.
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hard2swallovv8
Slow n steady.
02:25 PM on 09/27/2011
So glad they found him alive and well... too many of these stories end sadly. I also hope the authorities don't try coming down on the family. A mistake was made, true. But there wasn't any malice involved.
01:46 PM on 09/27/2011
It's so good he was found and he's OK! Hope this is a lesson for the parents to make sure he's safe and to WATCH THEIR CHILD! Don't leave it up to the brothers and sisters to watch the other kid! That's not fair to them and it's OBVIOUSLY not safe for the poor child who can't even talk!
01:45 PM on 09/27/2011
I'm so happy he is safe. I have a son who is autistic. He wasn't verbal until the age of four. Those of you who do not know about autism think it is an easy solution to put up a fence but these kids are still bright, even if they aren't verbal. My son has been a computer whiz since before his 4th birthday. I don't know if a fence would be a solution and maybe the family can't afford it. I hope this never happens again. It's easy to say the parents need to watch their child but it only takes a split second for a child to disappear, even a neuro typical children wander off and get abducted. Give the parents a break.
08:27 AM on 10/05/2011
i'm sorry but i disagree with your comment,parents have to be held responsible,i understand is a hard thing to do,but if you know that you have a special needs child,you have to be responsible.you cant depend on others to watch him for you,i know what goes on out there,thats why i never leave him outside by himself and neither does the school he attends.we are all going through the same thing,so who are you going to blame if your child disappear,the cops?
10:24 AM on 10/05/2011
I'll just blame Obama like everyone else on here.
01:08 PM on 09/27/2011
I hope the parents take this as a wake up call to provide extra precautions for this child. With this child they obviously need a fence around the property or some type of barrier. I'm so glad hes home and safe but this could have been prevented.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
williamabn
I Doubt , Therefore I might be
12:33 PM on 09/27/2011
Happy Happy out come ! Hide site would be a great lesson for themand and all that have challanged children . Have them a fenceed in safe area to play and explore in . Just a thought . God what great news .
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Wendy Stewart
12:30 PM on 09/27/2011
God watch over this sweet young boy until they find him. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
11:30 AM on 09/27/2011
I am so happy they found him. I have a 21 year old step son with autism, While every child is important, with autism it is a lot different for a variety of reasons. Like with my case, we have found him with a broken hand, cause he fell off his bike, but didn't know for a few days, cause he could not tell us he was really hurt.You have to watch them like a hawk. He is non -verbal, he doesn't cry when he's sick or hurt, They don't like strangers, so it is a really scary situation when a child with autism goes missing.
11:03 AM on 09/27/2011
Thank God. He is found. Hopefully, nothing has been done to him either.
10:48 AM on 09/27/2011
i have an autistic child and i never,not for a minute i leave him alone.because he's very curious about everything.i dont leave things that can harm him in any way out.i watch him around the clock daily,even when he's in the bathroom.he's 12 yrs old,and is very fast and slick.he's a special needs child that requires around the clock supervision.
01:56 PM on 09/27/2011
The little boy last month went missing while he was at school. Do you go to school with your child? Do you work? Does your child go to work with you? Ther is no way to watch a child every second of the day. Things happen. Give the parents a break.
02:42 PM on 09/27/2011
i'm happy they're responsible teachers in his school that dont let things like that happen,security guards help also.thats poor supervision on the school he attends.if a child goes missing while at school,again thats just a big slip up on the school he attends.when i'm not around him i can feel good that the teachers in his school are responsible. yes i have to go to work,but i dont have to worry about him because he's in a good environment.your analogy makes no sense,someone has to take the blame for what happen!
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10:09 AM on 09/27/2011
All of you on the Amber Alert bandwagon: Nothing contained in an Amber Alert would have found that boy faster. He was lost in the woods, not abducted. Had authorities found any evidence at all that he had been abducted and was in iminent danger, they would have issued an Amber Alert.

Kudos to all those who searched and found him in such a short time.