Last Thursday night, the community of Britton and the surrounding area dealt with a big scare when late that evening, a child was reported missing. A townwide alert was subsequently sent out. Though the next several hours were frightening, the event became an example of small-town teamwork and the closeness of a tightknit community.
An alert was sent out around 9:45 p.m. Thursday night that five-year-old Karter Hedges was missing from his home in Britton. An added concern was that the child is autistic. The authorities were notified and immediately leapt into action, but what they did not anticipate was the community response following the text alert and social media posts. Within minutes of the alert and post, dozens of people were out searching for the child and soon hundreds.
“We responders didn’t expect the amount of people that came out when sending alerts, but quickly realized that we needed to utilize it as a tool/resource,” said Marshall County Emergency Management Director Logan Roehr.
Another alert was quickly sent for people who were willing to help to gather at the fire station. Soon Roehr, Marshall County Sheriff Sam Swanson and county deputies worked to organize people for a thorough search of the town. “Everyone took the assignments and ran with it,” said Swanson. “It was beautiful to see.”
A grid search on foot was conducted with the drone flown by the county’s certified operators helping in the effort. “It was good to see the trainings that we have all done come into play,” added Swanson.
After looking for a few hours, the town had been thoroughly combed, yet the boy was still missing. Groups reconvened again at the fire station. “We told people that they could go home if they needed to and we understood if people were tired,” said Swanson. “But then, no one left.”
Pastor Terrell Sorenson led the group in a quick prayer before they planned to head out again. But shortly after the prayer, a call came in. Young Karter had been found safe and was home.
Everyone was overjoyed and relieved, especially the emergency personnel. “The outcome was the best it could’ve been,” stressed Roehr. “Britton residents went above and beyond. I’ve always agreed with the statement ‘it takes a village,’ but that night people lived that statement.”
Sheriff Swanson was so pleased with the community support and outcome, that he is inviting all who helped that night to a free meal. The meal will be served before the Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting next Wednesday (April 17). Hot dogs and other refreshments will be available at the North Marshall Fire Hall in Britton from 5:30 until the meeting starts at 7 p.m. that night.
