An extensive search for a missing Dresden boy ended happily yesterday.
A volunteer found 12-year-old Micah Thomas alive and well near the Eastern River around 2 p.m., just as a spokesman for the Maine State Warden Service was opening a press conference at the Dresden Fire Station
The search began on the east side of the Eastern River but ended on the west shore after Thomas crossed the river over night.
Thomas told authorities he did not hear searchers or airplanes until Thursday morning when he began hollering. Around 2 p.m. in the afternoon, a civilian searcher who lives in the area heard Micah hollering and came to his aid. He was found without his boots and showing signs of hypothermia.
A nearby Maine Marine Patrol boat responded and brought Micah on board. He was transported to the boat landing on Rt. 197 where he was treated by medical personnel and transported to the hospital for evaluation.
Thomas disappeared March 14 after he was dropped off by a school bus at 3 p.m. at the intersection of 52 Eagle Lodge Lane and Rt. 127 in Dresden. A local resident did report seeing a child a short distance away at East Pittston Road at approximately 4 p.m.
His father, Peter Thomas, reported Micah missing to Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 3:40 p.m. when Micah did not arrive home and could not be located.
The Maine Warden Service was called at approximately 5:50 p.m. where ground searchers and K-9 teams were deployed.
The Thomas family has expressed their gratefulness to all those who responded to help find Micah. The Maine Warden Service led the response effort, assisted by Maine Marine Patrol, Maine State Police-Computer Crimes Division, Maine Search and Rescue Association (MASAR), Maine Forest Service, Lincoln County Emergency Management Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Dresden Fire and multiple area fire departments.