Dallas

‘Critically Missing' Dallas Boy Found Alive; Massive Police Search Discontinued

Boy evaluated at children's hospital after being found hiding in a garage Friday

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An 11-year-old boy who was the subject of a massive search involving dogs, horses, and aircraft was found alive Friday after being missing for nearly 36 hours.

According to Dallas police, Traveon Michael Allen Griffin was found Friday and is safe.

Dallas police, medical personnel, and Griffin's family were inside a home on the 8400 block of Winecup Ridge Friday afternoon, about 1/8th of a mile from where he was last seen in the 5900 block of Naravista Drive.

Dallas Police Sgt. Warren Mitchell said during a news conference Friday afternoon that Griffin was found hiding in the garage.

"Today is a good day," said Mitchell.

According to Dallas police, Traveon Michael Allen Griffin was found Friday and is safe. Dallas Police Sgt. Warren Mitchell said during a news conference Friday afternoon that Griffin was found hiding in the garage. The homeowner told police she heard a noise in her garage and when she went to investigate the sound she found the child.

The homeowner flagged down an officer and told him she heard a noise in her garage and feared there was a burglar. When the officer went to investigate, they discovered the child in the garage.

Mitchell said the homeowner gave the boy some food and clothes since he was still wearing only socks and shorts.

Police officers had visited the house a number of times, according to Mitchell. It's not clear what conversations the officers had with the homeowner and whether the homeowner was instructed to check around their home.

An 11-year-old boy who was the subject of a massive search involving dogs, horses, and aircraft was found alive Friday after being missing for nearly 36 hours.

The homeowner said their garage door was open at some point on Thursday and that maybe Griffin slipped inside at that time.

A child does live at the home where Griffin was found, but it's not yet known if the child knew Griffin was in the garage.

NBC 5 has learned that Griffin has been taken by Dallas Fire-Rescue to Children's Medical Center in Dallas to be evaluated.

Griffin was reported missing after being last seen in the early morning hours of Thursday, Jan. 20 in the 5900 block of Naravista Drive in the Fox Creek neighborhood.

Griffin was considered to be "critically missing" because he has asthma, was not wearing a shirt when he was last seen and temperatures over the last couple of days have been below freezing overnight.

Missing persons cases are labeled "critical" when the person's safety or life is believed to be in jeopardy.

“We thank you for your prayers,” said Anthony Davis, Griffin’s uncle after reuniting with his sister’s son. “He was in good spirits, just looked like he was a little weak, so we got to get his energy back up but he’s going to be just fine.”

Davis, an Army veteran, spent the day searching a park and wooded area near Griffin’s home for the child.

“It takes a village to raise a child,” said Davis. As soon as police told the family about the discovery, Davis took off running toward the house.

Griffin's father told NBC 5 his son will be checked out at a local hospital but is okay.

No charges are expected at this time, according to DPD.

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