Police heat cam finds missing boy, 7, in attic
A BOY who sparked a police search after going missing overnight has been found in his grandmother’s attic by police using heat cameras.
Carson Shephard, seven, was reported missing after he vanished from the property in New Cumnock, Ayrshire, on Sunday night.
The alarm was raised at around 7.20pm, triggering a police search involving a helicopter and dog units. Large groups of volunteers congregated and scoured the area in an attempt to locate Carson.
The boy was eventually found yesterday morning by police using thermal equipment.
The youngster, who used insulation as a blanket, had not been spotted during three earlier police searches of the house.
His mother, Gemma Glover, said he had been staying with his grandmother Jacquie McCartney for the past few months.
Speaking outside the New Cumnock property, she added: ‘I found out on Facebook at about 11.30pm that he was missing.
‘With the cold weather last night I didn’t think he was going to make it. I am still overwhelmed.
‘We went out searching last night, but I don’t know this place that well.
‘CID told me the best thing to do was stay in the house.
‘They brought a specialist team in. My little girl was asking why they where searching the house again. Carson told me, “I heard everyone looking for me so I just decided to stay there for a while”.’
Miss Glover added: ‘He made a blanket out of the insulation to keep himself warm.
‘When the police came down and said “good news, we have found him”, I was overwhelmed.
‘The police checked the loft three or four times last night, nobody realised that it went further back. He isn’t even mortified. I am still in shock.
‘The amount of people who were out searching for him and offering us help has been amazing.’
The youngster’s uncle, Alec McCartney, dubbed Carson a ‘hide and seek champion’.
He said: ‘He is totally fine, he is just sitting chatting with his granny. I saw it on the news this morning when I got up, recognised the name and abandoned work to help find him. By the time I got here, he was found.
‘He won’t live this down, he is the hide and seek champion.
‘It is a relief for everyone but obviously his gran is still up to high doh, just still in shock.’
Mr McCartney added: ‘People have been really helpful, the community came together. I am glad we got a good outcome.’
A spokesman for East Ayrshire police division said: ‘We are pleased to report that seven-yearold Carson Shephard, reported missing from New Cumnock, has been found safe and well.
‘Officers would like to thank everyone who assisted in this inquiry.’
Around a dozen police vans and cars which had been scouring the area for the child were yesterday seen leaving New Cumnock after Carson was found.
Footage shot outside the property apparently showed a vehicle being taken away by officers early yesterday morning.
Police confirmed that the seizure of vehicles was part of their investigation into Carson’s disappearance and was routine.
‘Made a blanket out of insulation’