DNR Track Footprints to Find Missing MI Teen in Freezing Temps

An Upper Peninsula boy is now home after getting lost for hours in below-freezing temps, deep snow, and swampland.

Last week (March 21) a 14-year-old boy was reported missing around 4:30 pm after being released from a hospital.

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Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers were able to find a set of footprints which they followed for more than a mile. According to Fox 2 Detroit, officers followed the footprints about 650 yards where they encountered a person walking. The person told them that a boy who matched the missing teen’s description had been walking east about three hours earlier.

The officers followed the footprints into swampland surrounding Foster Creek.

They were extremely concerned at this point because they were dealing with below-freezing temps and running out of daylight.

The boy was eventually found (6:10 pm) but was only wearing a shirt and pajama pants. His shoes and socks had gotten wet from falling into the creek so he'd taken them off. He was using his jacket to keep his feet warm.

"I’m freezing cold," the boy told the officers.

It's amazing this boy survived this ordeal. I mean this kid was wet with no shoes or socks and sitting in below-freezing temps for hours.

We're a little confused as to how he got into this situation in the first place. The report from Fox 2 said he went missing after being released from the hospital. Why would a 14-year-old boy be allowed to leave a hospital on his own? I feel some important information is missing from this.