Missing boy returns home soon after Cowlitz County emergency alert

Authorities say a missing child returned home about 40 minutes after being reported missing on Wednesday, following a text alert sent to people registered to receive Cowlitz County emergency messages.

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Longview Police Capt. Branden McNew said Thursday the child returned home on his bike after hanging out with friends and lost track of time.

A text alert for the missing kid was distributed at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The message said police were searching for a 7-year-old boy with a high-functioning form of autism who was last seen in the 300 block of 24th Ave.

That location is near Archie Anderson Park in Longview.

The message stated it was from the Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management. However, Lori Hendrickson, with the department, said law enforcement crafted and distributed the message.

To sign up for similar alerts, visit www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/196/Emergency-Management.

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