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Runaway Teen Found Near Jefferson After Five-Hour Search

Rescuers found a missing teenager in the woods near Jefferson just before midnight Monday, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game.

Matthew Darr, who is 19 and has autism, had been staying at the Easter Seals Intensive Residential Treatment Facility in Lancaster.  But about 6:30 pm he ran away from his caregivers when their van stopped near a rest stop on Route 115.

Members of Fish and Game, State Police and local police began searching almost immediately and at one point a search dog from Fish and Game picked up the scent but then lost it in a swampy area.

Officials were particularly worried about Darr's health because he also has diabetes.

About 11:40 p.m. members of the Whitefield volunteer fire department who were using a thermal imaging device, heard Darr calling for help. He was found barefoot in thick woods, suffering only from insect bites and scratches.

“Whitefield Fire saved an untold number of hours of search time by locating Mr. Darr when they did, said Sgt. Mark Ober of NH Fish and Game.

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