Related story: Soldier says missing 4-year-old found dead in McIntosh County —– The storms could affect the search for a missing four-year-old boy in McIntosh County on Tuesday night.
Law enforcement and investigative teams have been working around the clock since Zaiven Houke’s disappearance on Monday. Zaiven’s mother urges the community to be vigilant and not give up. In a statement, she also thanked everyone for their help and prayers.
Just west of Checotah, in a community called Emerald Bay, law enforcement, investigators, city workers and the Red Cross are working desperately to find Zaiven Houke. The four-year-old is autistic and non-verbal. She was last seen on Monday in a blue and white diaper.
His mother, Brittany Hatcher, said in part in a statement: “My son is missing and he is very much in love and all we want is for him to be home.”
Firefighters drained a one-acre pond into the family home on Monday night but found nothing.
“We searched the ground, we searched by boat, we searched the lake, the lakes, we had the OHP and their helicopters,” said Susan Whittle, McIntosh County Emergency Management Director.
Help came on all fours from a volunteer group of about eight people on horseback. The team said OHP had asked for their help. The group came from Council Hill and were on stage until midnight on Monday and returned on Tuesday. “I think of it as my child. So we are here to help in any way we can and to find this little boy. So my heart is in the family. “So we hope we can do something good,” said volunteer Rocky Webb. Sequoyah County Patrol Search and Rescue Team also came to assist with the search, from Sallisaw. An ambulance arrived at the scene on Tuesday and investigators said a police officer was injured after overturning his four-wheeler, but did not confirm which service he was from. The officer is expected to be well. Investigations into Seven continue. The researchers said their search area included a 10-mile radius around the boy’s home. “They just want to find him. That’s all they want is to be able to find him. “And we all pray to find him in good condition,” Whittle said. If you see Zaiven or know where he is, call 911. “Given the circumstances, all I ask is that everyone be vigilant and not give up. My son is very much missed and loved and all we want is to be home. I want to thank the community, all the law enforcement authorities, those who went out to search and all those who prayed. “Everyone appreciates you very much,” said Zaiven’s mother, Brittany Hatcher.