Mom of found Elmira boy thanks community, happy he’s home

ELMIRA, N.Y. ( WETM ) — An Elmira mother is grateful for all of the people who helped look for her 11-year-old son while he was missing.

Aiden Barnes left his home at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, July 28, after an argument and didn’t return. The community came together by forming search parties, offering resources, reaching out to Aiden’s family, and sharing posts about the 11-year-old on social media. Aiden was found safe at around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, more than two days after he went missing.

“I’d like to that everybody that’s been out looking, sharing, posting, everything,” Aiden’s mom, Cassandra Hoag, told 18 News minutes after her son was found.

Hoag said that everybody was sharing posts about Aiden, even people in other counties, and contacting her through Facebook and on her phone. She said that people she didn’t know were reaching out and asking if they could help search, and some people offered to use their boats, drones, and even dogs to look for Aiden.

Hoag, Aiden’s father, and Aiden’s grandmother also said that the Elmira Police Department did a great job looking for Aiden. Officers checked all of the tips they received about where Aiden could’ve been.

Aiden’s family and loved ones searched for him, too. Aiden’s father said that he looked for Aiden all night, and his grandmother said she was up all night as well. One of the boy’s brothers drove two and a half hours to look for Aiden on Tuesday, and one of Hoag’s friends came to town on Monday. Hoag said that her friend drove her around while they looked for Aiden.

“We’re just, like I said, happy with everybody, the amount of people that came together,” said Hoag.

Aiden’s family all said that they were relieved and happy to have Aiden home, and Aiden said he was happy to see his mom and dad. Hoag also said that she’s glad she might be able to get some sleep tonight.

After the emotional family reunion, Hoag said she was going to take Aiden out for ice cream.

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