A Mother’s Worst Nightmare: The Search for Joshua
In the quiet town of Coos County, Oregon, a mother named Angela German faced her worst nightmare. It all began on November 9, when she decided to take a much-needed nap with her 5-year-old son, Joshua James McCoy. Angela thought it would be a short break, but when she woke up almost five hours later, she was shocked to find that Joshua was missing.
“Every minute matters,” the Missing Kids organization warns. Children with autism, like Joshua, can wander off more easily than other kids. They might be trying to escape loud noises or bright lights, or they could be looking for a safe place that calms them down.
As the sun began to set on that fateful Saturday, Angela’s heart raced with fear. She immediately called the police, explaining that Joshua had a cellphone, but when they tried to track it, they didn’t find any helpful information. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office quickly sprang into action, sending out alerts to the public.
Joshua was described as a small boy, only about 3 feet 6 inches tall, and he responded to the names “Josh” or “Joshie.” However, they cautioned that he might not respond if someone called out to him.
Angela was devastated, her mind racing with worry. She knew her son, who had autism, might be scared and confused. “He could be anywhere,” she thought, feeling helpless. The police warned that too many people searching might disturb potential evidence, so they asked the community to stay calm and let the professionals do their job.
The next morning, the search intensified. The sheriff’s office posted on Facebook, saying, “We are using drones, deputies, and detectives to find Joshua. Some clues have been found, but nothing concrete yet.” They even drained a nearby pond, hoping to find any sign of him, but came up empty-handed.
On November 11, two days after Joshua went missing, the search expanded dramatically. Authorities activated CORSAR, a team of volunteers from seven counties in Oregon and California, who brought 61 ground personnel, aerial support, and K9 units to help in the search.
Angela held onto hope, praying for her son’s safe return. “Please, let him be okay,” she whispered to herself.
But as the search continued, time slipped away. Then, on November 12, the unthinkable happened. Around 12:30 p.m., the police made a heartbreaking announcement: Joshua had been found, but he was no longer alive.
“It is with immense sadness that we have to report that missing Joshua McCoy has been found deceased,” they stated. He was discovered about 1.6 miles from home, nearly 2 miles by road.
Angela was shattered. The world seemed to stop around her as she processed the loss of her precious son. Joshua’s father, Lawson Amos McCoy, who lived in Ohio, shared his grief on Facebook, posting a touching photo of Joshua and writing, “My precious baby!
Bless you my love. I’ll miss you the rest of my life.” His words echoed the pain felt by so many who knew and loved Joshua.
The investigation into what happened to Joshua is still ongoing, and the police have said they will not release any more information at this time. The community mourns the loss of a bright young boy, and many are left wondering how such a tragedy could happen.
Rest in peace, little Joshua. Your memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved you.
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