Officers, Dispatchers Find Autistic Man In Near Freezing Temps

MARIETTA, GA -- An autistic man with limited verbal skills went missing on Monday during the current cold snap in Marietta, but was located only about an hour later thanks to the efforts of Cobb and Marietta police, and Cobb 911 dispatchers. The man managed to wander away from his home in 35-degree weather, wearing only his summer clothing. By the time his family noticed he was missing, he had been out of his house for about an hour.

Marietta police supervisors were able to begin coordinating a search with the assistance from Cobb 911 operators even before the first officer arrived at the man's home. Within a few minutes of the 911 call, the search team was now made up of Cobb police and sheriff's deputies; Marietta police officers and police ambassadors; and Cobb and Marietta fire representatives.

Within 20 minutes, they located him more than two miles from his home.

Police said the man's family did everything correctly in conducting their search and then notifying authorities.

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Image Marietta Police