A 13-year-old autistic boy missing in a North Carolina snowstorm was found safe after a K-9 tracked his scent through harsh conditions.

A 13-year-old boy with autism went missing during a severe snowstorm in Gastonia, North Carolina, on January 31, 2026, prompting a multi-agency search. Without proper clothing, he faced dangerous freezing conditions. Police K-9 Bo, a bloodhound, tracked his scent using a personal item, leading search teams through snow and darkness to a secured area where the boy was found cold but unharmed. He was safely reunited with his family. Authorities credited the rescue to rapid response, interagency cooperation, and Bo’s performance in extreme weather.