Clinton First Responders Use Borrowed Drone To Find Missing 2-Year-Old

Clinton first responders raced against the clock to find a missing 2-year-old, and they borrowed gear that helped make for a happy ending.

Clinton firefighters sprung into action last Saturday after a frantic call from a mom, missing her 2-year-old.

"With it being sunset already, we needed more eyes," Clinton Fire Lt. Dylan Abner said.

Abner said many firefighters at their station also wear another more important hat. He said that role fueled their search.

"Being a parent yourself you always think the worst," Abner said.

He added, "you just never know where they're going to end up or who they're going to run into, especially just out in kind of the county area."

"So that was our biggest fear, was getting to him as soon as we could, knowing his body can compensate really well for a long period of time before it gets to that crashing point."

As the sun went down and temperatures dropped, Abner said they relied on heat seeking drones brought by Elk City Fire.  

The drone spotted the toddler's heat signal minutes after it took off. It's a piece of equipment the department is in the process of getting themselves.

"We had located him within 45 minutes to an hour after we had been notified of it," Abner explained.

Levi, the 2-year-old, was sitting at home with his dad and brother before he disappeared.  

Their mom, who didn't want to go on camera, said initially she thought someone left their door open and that's how Levi disappeared; but while there, Levi showed he learned a new skill. He can open the front door himself.

"He was located about a quarter mile from his house, so he made up some ground pretty quick. So to be able to reunite a child with their families is a great feeling to have."

Abner said after residents saw the drone in action, they donated enough money for the department to buy a drone of their own.